After a car accident, some injuries may be immediately apparent at the scene of the crash. Dermal abrasions and lacerations, for instance, are often visible to the naked eye, while some types of skeletal injuries in the extremities may be evident relatively quickly because they often have an immediate impact on the injured person’s use of the affected limb. However, other injuries may not be obvious immediately after a car accident, and in some cases symptoms may take days or even weeks to develop. Individuals who do not realize the extent of their injuries immediately after the crash may not seek treatment until symptoms emerge, delaying potentially time-sensitive medical interventions – a delay that auto insurance companies will sometimes use to argue that the injuries are not related to the crash and are therefore not eligible for financial compensation to cover the costs of care.
If you have experienced any of these struggles arising from delayed symptoms after a car accident, you may find it helpful to discuss your situation with an experienced Missouri car accident attorney. Consider scheduling a no-risk case evaluation with a member of the Steelman Gaunt Crowley team by calling (573) 341-8336 today.
Can You Have a Delayed Reaction to a Car Accident?
A number of injuries commonly sustained in car accidents may have a delayed onset of symptoms. Some injuries whose symptoms may not be obvious for a few days to a few weeks after a car accident include:
- Whiplash: Damage caused to the tendons that run through the neck to connect the base of the skull to the shoulders
- Concussion: A bruising of brain tissue, caused by gray matter’s impact on the inside of the skull during a rapid start-stop motion
- Damage to internal organs: Bruising or other forms of trauma to the critical organs in the body’s abdominal cavity, potentially resulting in internal bleeding or other complications
- PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder): Emotional and psychological symptoms that can manifest weeks or months later
- Nerve or spinal cord damage: Pinching of nerves throughout the body or bruising of the delicate spinal cord, either of which may not be apparent until swelling after the accident increases pressure on the affected area
Seeking medical assessment as soon as possible after a car accident is always recommended, but accident victims should not hesitate to seek in the days and weeks that follow if new symptoms emerge.
Delayed Symptoms and Medical Interventions
Some adverse effects from a crash, such as PTSD, may not be possible to diagnose immediately. As a general rule, however, it is a good idea to seek medical evaluation as soon as possible after a car accident. Trained medical professionals may be able to use specialized diagnostic equipment to identify injuries and implement a treatment protocol early, in some cases even before symptoms have begun to emerge. These timely interventions can serve both to maximize the injured person’s chances of making a full recovery.
Establish Medical Documentation
Timely, regular medical evaluations can also help to establish the documentation that you may need in order to make sure the costs of treatments for your injuries sustained in the crash will be covered. Missouri drivers are required to carry auto liability insurance, according to the Missouri Department of Revenue – but insurers frequently dispute the total amount of eligible claims, and may sometimes seek to challenge whether delayed symptoms were actually caused by the collision for which an accident victim has filed a claim. A car accident attorney with Steelman Gaunt Crowley may be able to advise you regarding the steps you can take to make sure you maintain adequate documentation of any treatments needed after a car accident.
Watch for New Symptoms After a Crash
Even if you have already received a professional medical evaluation, there are a few symptoms you may wish to watch for in the several days following a motor vehicle collision, as they may be signs that something was missed in the initial assessment, or that additional complications may be emerging from the injury. Whiplash, concussion, and nerve or spinal cord damage can all lead to non-specific symptoms that are easily missed without careful monitoring.
What Symptoms Are Normal After a Car Accident?
Fatigue, soreness, or stiffness that begin soon after a car accident and disappear within a few days may not be a cause for concern. Instead of disregarding such symptoms, however, it is a good idea to consult with a medical professional to discuss the exact location and type of pain to rule out any more serious problems. If symptoms persist – or new symptoms develop a few days after the accident – seeking medical evaluation is especially crucial, as delays in starting treatment can have a negative impact on patient outcomes.
Whiplash
Key symptoms of whiplash to watch for include neck pain, stiffness, and headaches, especially headaches centered at the base of the skull. In some cases, dizziness and fatigue may also be present. Additional symptoms may include blurred vision, ringing in the ears, difficulty concentrating, and irritability.
Symptoms of whiplash typically appear within 24-48 hours after a car accident, but in some cases may take several days to manifest. If signs of whiplash do emerge, it is important to limit neck movement and seek advice from a medical professional to make sure there are no additional issues and to reduce the risk of developing long-term complications.
Concussion
Common symptoms of concussion include headache, confusion, memory issues, dizziness, and nausea. However, there can be a number of less obvious signs, such as sleep disturbances, light and noise sensitivity, and even changes in taste and smell. Concussion symptoms can develop gradually, so monitoring for sudden or worsening issues is crucial, as they may indicate a severe brain injury.
Recovery from concussion often requires cognitive rest and a gradual return to activities, according to the Mayo Clinic. Because complications resulting from concussion can have severe consequences, anyone experiencing symptoms of a concussion after a car accident is advised to seek medical attention without delay.
Nerve or Spinal Cord Damage
Nerve damage or compression, whether caused by direct tissue damage or resulting from swelling in the surrounding tissues after an accident, may lead to symptoms such as numbness or tingling in the arms, hands, legs, or feet, often accompanied by weakness. The symptoms may be transient or sustained, and the underlying causes can range from minor irritations to serious injuries to the spinal cord or its protective column. Early treatment is crucial to prevent long-term damage, so these signs should not be ignored.
Consult With a Missouri Car Accident Lawyer
If you have experienced delayed symptoms after a car accident, you may have questions about your next steps and how you can seek compensation to cover the costs of care for injuries that were not immediately obvious at the scene of the crash. Navigating insurance negotiations and establishing a clear causal link between a car accident and newly emergent symptoms can become more challenging with delays – even when these delays are unavoidable effects of the body’s own restorative processes. To get help evaluating your options, consider scheduling a meeting with a Missouri auto accident attorney from Steelman Gaunt Crowley. Our office is experienced in handling complex insurance claim negotiations, so call (573) 341-8336 today to set up a no-cost, no-obligation consultation. aunt Crowley today at (573) 341-8336 and set up a free consultation to discuss your case.
