It’s normal to think that you’ll know right away if you’re injured after being in a car accident. While this is sometimes the case, it’s not always true. Car crashes can lead to delayed injuries that don’t become apparent for quite some time. It’s helpful to understand these types of injuries, why this happens, and what to do if you find yourself in this situation.
If you have suffered delayed injuries after a car accident? Contact our St. Louis car accident lawyers to seek compensation. Schedule your free consultation today.
Why Some Car Accident Injuries Don’t Show Up Right Away
People often feel fine right after an accident, only to realize something is wrong later on. Here is why some injuries can be overlooked in the early hours after a collision:
Adrenaline and Shock Mask Pain
After an accident, your body floods with adrenaline. This natural chemical helps you react quickly in an emergency, but it also numbs the pain. The shock of the moment can make injuries feel less severe or invisible right after the impact.
Soft Tissue Damage Appears Slowly
Bruises, muscle strains, or ligament tears take time to swell or become painful. Whiplash is a common example. Neck or back muscles may feel stiff rather than truly painful at first, but hours later, you might have a hard time moving your neck and start to notice new, more painful symptoms.
Internal Injuries Aren’t Visible
Internal damage, such as bleeding or organ trauma, may be hidden in the early stages. Pain can appear later, and symptoms may start out fairly mild and get worse as the hours and days go on.
Concussion and Head Injury Symptoms Don’t Always Show Up
Not every head injury is obvious right away. Symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, confusion, and sensitivity to light or sound might not develop until several hours after an accident. You may not realize you have a concussion until you develop issues like trouble concentrating, memory lapses, irritability, or sleep problems. Many people assume that if they didn’t lose consciousness, they can’t possibly have a severe head injury, but that isn’t the case.
Some Injuries are Emotional
Not all the harm from a car accident shows up physically. Emotional injuries can be just as real as broken bones or bruises. After a crash, many people experience anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or even symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Many people assume these injuries are temporary and will go away, but this isn’t always the case. These reactions can also show up days or weeks after an accident.
Why Delayed Injuries Can Complicate Your Claim
If you have delayed injuries from a car accident, it can complicate your insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. Many insurers argue that any injuries you have that come from the car crash would show up right away, and that if they didn’t, you must not be that injured. This makes it hard for you to claim compensation. Securing medical records soon after a crash helps link your injuries directly to the accident, so make sure you go see a doctor even if you don’t feel that bad right after the incident.
How a St. Louis Car Accident Lawyer Helps
If Injuries are delayed if you experience delayed symptoms after a car accident, it’s important to work with a lawyer so you can prove why you’re entitled to compensation. Here’s how our team can help in these scenarios:
- Our lawyers will gather all of your medical records that arise after the car accident.
- We will consult with medical specialists who can write reports or testify on your behalf to explain why some symptoms don’t appear right away but can still certainly be tied to the crash.
- Our team will handle all talks with the insurance company to try to get you everything you’re entitled to from your injuries.
- We keep track of all important deadlines to make sure you don’t miss out on filing a claim because of a technicality.
If you’re experiencing delayed injuries after a car accident, we’re here to help you get the compensation you need so you can focus on your recovery. When you work with us, you can breathe a little easier, knowing a professional is working on your behalf. Call us today to schedule a free consultation.