With the number of vehicles traveling on roads and highways, traffic crashes are likely to happen every day. While some accidents may be minor, such as a fender-bender, others may result in more severe damages and injuries that demand immediate medical attention.
However, many people are unaware that some injuries sustained in a car accident may not show symptoms for hours, days, or even weeks. While these delayed injuries may go unrecognized at first, they can substantially impact one’s physical health, emotional well-being, and quality of life.
In this article, you will understand how to know if you have late-appearing injuries and what to do if they result from a car accident caused by another driver.
Why Do Car Accidents Result in Delayed Injuries?
Car accidents can result in delayed injuries due to several circumstances.
Adrenaline and Endorphins: One major cause is the body’s natural reaction to stress and trauma. The body produces adrenaline and endorphins during a collision, which can momentarily dull pain and discomfort. As the adrenaline wears off and the body relaxes, people may begin to feel the impact of their injuries.
Internal bodily damage: You may encounter the symptoms days or weeks after the crash as swelling and inflammation manifest. An internal organ or brain injury may also not manifest symptoms immediately, but they may eventually become prominent as the symptoms get worse.
Shock and Tension: Delayed injury symptoms may be influenced by psychological factors. Being in a car accident can cause shock and tension, which can temporarily dull pain perception. As a result, people may ignore or minimize their injuries until they worsen or become more chronic.
With the physiological and psychological effects of the crash on a body, a victim may experience delayed onset of symptoms after a car accident. This is why seeking medical attention immediately after a collision is crucial to identifying and treating potential injuries.
How Do I Know If I Have Late-Appearing Injuries After a Crash?
Diagnosing injuries that emerge after a collision can be challenging since symptoms might not be apparent immediately. However, there are several symptoms that an underlying severe injury may cause.
If you are involved in an auto collision, you may check for the following indicators that might point to chronic injuries:
- Persistent pain
- Restricted movement or mobility
- Headaches, migraines, or dizziness
- Numbness or tingling in a specific body area
- Change in behavior
If another driver hits you, it must be your priority to get medical assistance as soon as possible, regardless of whether you feel any symptoms or not. A medical expert can assess your condition, identify any underlying issues, and suggest the best action to prevent further problems.
Can I Receive Compensation for Delayed Injuries?
Generally, injured victims of car accidents may receive compensation if the following conditions are met:
- The accident results from another party’s wrongful actions
- You sustain injuries or other damages
- You have valid and sufficient evidence to prove that the cause of the crash
In such cases, the victim can receive a settlement for several damages, including financial and non-financial losses. Economic damages include those with receipts and documents such as medical bills, property repair costs, lost wages, and out-of-pocket expenses. Meanwhile, non-economic damages are intangible losses from the crash, like emotional suffering, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and others.
So, if you incur delayed injuries from a collision caused by another driver, you may be entitled to compensation. However, note that you can only include this type of injury if you can prove that it resulted from the crash caused by the other driver’s negligence.
How Do I Prove My Late-Appearing Injuries?
Filing a claim against the motorist who caused the crash is straightforward. Still, it becomes challenging if other problems are involved, such as delayed injuries and lacking evidence to support your claim.
However, you can take specific actions to assist you in navigating the legal system and getting the money you are due.
Seek Medical Treatment
You can only file a claim for a car crash if it caused injuries or other damage to you or your passengers. Without documentation of your injuries from the crash, you can’t pursue compensation. This is why seeking medical care as soon as possible following a vehicle collision is crucial. Aside from protecting your health, you also secure your rights to a settlement.
Collect All Documents Related to the Damages
Remember that even if the crash results from another driver’s negligence, your case may be dismissed if you lack supporting evidence to back your claim. So, after a car crash, you must gather all evidence, such as photos of the damages and witness testimonies. Additionally, you must report the crash and request a copy of the police report.
Suppose you have a late-appearing injury from the collision. In that case, you must also collect the documents showing the cause of it, such as medical diagnoses and other medical records related to the injury.
Contact a Car Accident Lawyer
While some injuries are easy to prove, others may be more complicated to justify. How can you prove that a late-appearing injury results from the crash rather than any other accident occurring after the collision?
Aside from this, insurance providers typically try to resolve a case as quickly as possible to avoid further complications. For instance, what happens if you accept an initial offer and discover you have a severe injury weeks after receiving it? In such an instance, you won’t have the right to claim compensation for the late-appearing injuries if you have already accepted an offer.
This is why getting a lawyer after a car accident is beneficial. A car accident attorney can evaluate the total damages from the crash, prove the other driver’s fault, and negotiate on your behalf, increasing your chances of receiving compensation.
Securing Your Overall Well-Being After a Crash
Unfortunately, some crashes may become so catastrophic that they can lead to significant injuries and even death. This can become emotionally, physically, and financially draining. Fortunately, you can claim compensation for the damages of a collision caused by another driver to reduce the burden of the crash. In such cases, a car accident lawyer can help defend your rights and guarantee the maximum compensation you deserve while you focus on your recovery.