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After a car accident, you may not always have obvious injuries. A variety of conditions could make it difficult for you to recognize the full extent of your injuries. The pain from one injury might also mask pain of another wound. It might take time for swelling, bruising, or other conditions to manifest before you seek medical attention.
The effects of a car accident on your body could take several days to fully appear. That is why it is always important to undergo a thorough medical examination after any kind of accident. You should get medical attention as soon as possible. You should also follow-up with your primary doctor after the accident.
The sudden and jarring nature of car accidents can cause catastrophic injuries that might remain hidden for a period of time. Listed below are common injuries and symptoms that might not be immediately apparent.
Immediately following a serious accident, your body could be in a state of shock. The combination of adrenaline and shock can make it possible to walk with a broken ankle and think you just suffered a minor sprain, for example. Numbness could mask otherwise painful injuries for hours or even days, and a tingling sensation might be a subtle indicator of a serious internal injury.
After a period of time, the shock usually goes away. When that happens, the hidden injuries could become more pronounced. Your doctor might need you to undergo an imaging scan to properly diagnose the extent of your injuries.
Whiplash commonly occurs in rear-end car accidents. Whiplash often heals within a few days, but some severe cases of whiplash can last longer. In some instances, you could experience extreme pain from whiplash that keeps you out of work for weeks or months.
You might also experience neck pain from a disc injury or damage to connective tissue. It could take some time for the swelling within a spinal disc or injured soft tissue to become extreme enough for you to feel the damage. However, when the pain starts, it could become very debilitating.
A sprain, soft tissue damage, or spinal cord injury could occur during a car accident but not show itself right away. Many people initially walk away feeling relatively okay due to the effects of shock and adrenaline. When those effects wear off, the pain from a misaligned vertebrae, injured disc, or other back injury could become more prominent.
A back injury, especially a spinal cord injury, can be extremely painful. If the spinal cord injury is severe enough, you might have to undergo surgery. Surgery could be very costly as well as dangerous. The time away from work could be very long, leading to the piling up of medical bills.
The traumatic nature of car accidents makes it possible to suffer internal injuries that you do not notice right away. A combination of general soreness and the effects of adrenaline and shock could mask symptoms of internal injuries. If you are in a car accident and feel dizziness, suffer fainting spells, or your abdomen shows signs of bruising several days afterward, that could be internal bleeding.
Internal injuries can be dangerous if ignored. Whenever any symptoms of internal bleeding occur, a trip to the doctor is needed to ensure you did not suffer an injury that might become deadly if left untreated.
A head injury is serious and could lead to a traumatic brain injury (TBI). A brain injury could even lead to a comatose condition. That is why it is very important to have a thorough examination in an emergency room following a car accident that causes a head injury.
If you are knocked unconscious during an accident, you might have a TBI. Headaches, dizziness, and even changes in your behavior are signs of a delayed TBI. Only an imaging scan could help your doctor give you an accurate diagnosis.
You will have to file an insurance claim for your injuries as well as property damage. You will be contacted by insurance adjusters representing your insurer and the insurer of the other driver. Usually, an insurance adjuster will try to offer a lowball settlement for your injuries and losses.
If you have delayed injuries and accept a settlement, you might wind up paying those medical costs out of your own pocket. It is always best to obtain legal representation to ensure you can get insurance coverage for your injuries and related damages.
Lost wages, transportation costs to and from doctor appointments, and pain and suffering are just some of the damages to which you might be entitled to collect. An experienced car accident lawyer can determine if you are eligible for damages and protect your rights so that you can focus on healing.
Delayed injuries can be serious, so it is critical that you seek medical attention after any type of accident. If you have an injury and need legal assistance, our Delaware car accident lawyers at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. can help. Contact us online or call us at 302-656-5445 to schedule a free consultation today. We are located in Wilmington and Millsboro, Delaware, and we serve clients in Dover, New Castle County, and Sussex County.