After a car accident, you may suffer several serious injuries that are immediately apparent. Broken bones, deep cuts and bruises, and penetration injuries are just a few of these. Not all injuries are so apparent after a car crash, though. Some injuries do not present any symptoms at all for several days, or even weeks, after an accident. It is important for you to be aware of possible injuries that you may not see or recognize right away, how they will affect your accident claim, and how to still secure the full amount of damages you deserve.
Types of Delayed Symptoms After a Car Accident
Car accidents can result in any number of injuries that do not present symptoms right away. These include:
- Headaches: It is common to suffer from headaches after a car accident, but they may not appear for days or weeks after a crash. Do not make the mistake of assuming the headache is from stress or another factor, as a headache could be a sign of something more serious, such as a traumatic brain injury.
- Neck and shoulder pain: Feeling pain in the shoulder and neck area after a car crash is indicative of whiplash. Whiplash is one of the most commonly delayed injuries after an accident, and it can also result in long-term pain. Early recognition and treatment is critical for a whiplash injury.
- Abdominal pain: Feeling pain in the abdomen has the potential to be very serious after an accident, as it can indicate internal bleeding. Many people do not receive treatment because they cannot see the injury and in these cases, it can be life-threatening.
- Back pain: Back injuries are extremely common after car accidents, but the pain is not always present right away. Any time you feel back pain after a crash it can indicate sprains, strains, herniated discs, and injuries to the soft tissues.
- Numbness or tingling: Numbness and tingling in the hands or arms after a car accident is a sign that the spinal cord was damaged during the crash. Without treatment, this symptom may become worse.
Due to the fact that these injuries do not always present themselves right away, it is critical that you always see a doctor that can perform a full examination as soon as possible after a crash.
How Delayed Injuries May Affect Your Case Against the Driver at Fault
Delayed injuries pose several problems after a car accident. You may not receive the treatment you need right away, meaning your injuries will become worse. Unfortunately, these delayed symptoms can also jeopardize your case, particularly if you did not seek medical treatment after the accident. This is another reason why it is so important to see a doctor after any collision.
Without medical documentation of your injuries, it is much more challenging to secure the compensation you deserve, regardless of whether you are dealing with your own insurer or that of the driver that hit you. You should also collect copies of your medical records and keep a journal of your pain and suffering after any crash, as these are important pieces of evidence that can prove your case.
Injured in an Accident? Call Our Pennsylvania Personal Injury Lawyers
You can still seek compensation after a car accident even when the symptoms of your injuries did not appear right away. Unfortunately, it is much more difficult to prove your case, but a Philadelphia car accident lawyer can help. At van der Veen, Hartshorn, Levin & Lindheim, we know how to prove your injuries are a result of the crash and we will hold the insurance company accountable for paying the full amount of damages you deserve. Call us today at (215) 486-0123 to schedule a consultation with one of our skilled attorneys and give yourself the best chance of success with your claim.