After a rear-end car accident, it is imperative that you visit a medical professional to document your physical condition as time passes. This is because not all injuries you may incur in a collision are immediately apparent. Some injuries may take days, even weeks, to manifest. This is why it is important to be very aware of the delayed injury signs after being rear-ended in an auto accident. Insurance companies are often looking to cut corners and will be quick to deny compensation for medical conditions and injuries that are not thoroughly documented.
Whether you notice any adverse symptoms in your physical condition in the moments immediately following your accident, you must visit a medical professional. This will provide you the documentation you need to track your medical progress, as it will provide information on your condition before, during, and after the incident. This way, your insurer or the negligent driver will be unable to blame the injuries incurred on pre-existing conditions or other life events you may have experienced.
Once you have visited the hospital, whether there were significant injuries noted or not, you will need to keep an eye out for any of the following symptoms:
- Neck and/or shoulder pain: This is indicative of whiplash. Though this condition is often noticed immediately following a collision, it can also be severely delayed, not manifesting until several days after the incident. Whiplash is a term used to refer to a range of injuries, and, in some cases, is related to spinal injuries. This can pose a serious threat to your physical wellbeing, so upon noticing such symptoms, contact your physician immediately.
- Back pain: This could also be related to whiplash, especially if you are experiencing pain in the lower back. This type of pain can be indicative of something as minimal as a sprain, or as serious as soft-tissue damage. When combined with sensations of numbness and/or tingling, this might also be a sign that you are being affected by pinched nerves.
- Abdominal pain: This is one of the most serious symptoms to watch out for, as it may be indicative of soft-tissue damage and related internal bleeding. You must contact your doctor immediately upon feeling abdominal pain, as this can be fatal without the appropriate treatment. This symptom may also be accompanied by bruising, headaches, and dizziness.
- Headaches: You might notice an increase in the frequency with which you have headaches in the days following a collision. This is one of the most common experiences of car accident victims and can be indicative of a concussion, injury to either the neck or head, and/or a blood clot located in the brain.
What to Do If You Are Experiencing Delayed Injuries After an Accident
Do not worry if you must visit the hospital several times before being sure of whether you can open a personal injury case or not. In every state, there is a statute of limitations that allows up to an average of two years following your accident to file a lawsuit for compensation. While you receive the medical attention you need, get in contact with a car accident lawyer. They will work to ensure you receive the compensation you need to cover all medical expenses incurred in the treatment of delayed injuries after a collision.
