Understanding the timeline for potential injuries to appear after a car accident is crucial, both for your health and any legal action you might consider
Car accidents, even those that seem minor, can have a significant impact on your physical well-being. One of the perplexing aspects of auto accident injuries is that they might not manifest immediately.
The Immediate Aftermath of Car Accidents
In the moments following a car accident, adrenaline levels typically spike. This natural response can easily mask pain and injuries, leading some individuals to believe they are uninjured. It’s not uncommon for car accident victims to walk away feeling fine, only to develop more severe symptoms hours, days, or even weeks later.
Car Accident Injuries
Injuries from car accidents and their severity can vary greatly. Some car accident victims may walk away with relatively minor injuries, while others can suffer far more severe injuries. Common car accident injuries include:
- Neck injuries
- Whiplash
- Back injuries
- Spinal Cord injuries
- Traumatic Brain Injuries
- Burns
- Lacerations
- Broken Bones
- Fractures
Common Delayed Injury Symptoms from Car Accidents
The following injuries may take hours, days, and sometimes even weeks after a car accident for significant symptoms to appear. Despite their delayed onset, these are all serious injuries and should be treated promptly by a medical professional.
Whiplash: One of the most common delayed injury symptoms, whiplash can take 24 hours or more to develop. Symptoms may include neck pain, stiffness, headaches, and dizziness.
Concussion & Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Often hard to diagnose immediately, concussion symptoms like headaches, confusion, dizziness, and memory loss can appear days later.
Soft Tissue Injuries: Injuries to muscles, tendons, and ligaments may not be immediately apparent. Pain, swelling, and reduced mobility can develop gradually over the days after being in a car accident.
Psychological Impact: The psychological after-effects of a car accident, such as anxiety, panic disorder, PTSD, or depression, might emerge well after the physical injuries have been addressed. It is not uncommon for car accident victims to develop psychological trauma and symptoms after a car accident, and the onset of symptoms is often delayed.
Why Delayed Symptoms are a Concern
Not recognizing or acknowledging delayed injuries can lead to exacerbated health issues. It’s also important for legal reasons. If you are seeking compensation for your injuries, connecting the injury to the car accident becomes more challenging as time passes.
Assessing Injuries After a Car Accident
Seek Immediate Medical Attention: Always consult a healthcare professional after an accident, even if you feel fine. They can assess for hidden injuries and provide a medical record that is crucial if you later pursue a legal claim.
Monitor Your Health: Be vigilant about any changes in your physical or emotional state in the days and weeks following the accident. Promptly report any symptoms to your doctor and to your car accident lawyer.
Document Everything: Keep detailed records of any symptoms or medical visits related to the accident. This documentation can be vital in any future legal proceedings.
Legal Considerations for Delayed Injury Symptoms
In California, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims against individuals or commercial entities is generally two years from the date of the accident. However, given the nature of delayed symptoms, it’s advisable to consult with a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after a car accident, and begin the claim process to recover compensation for your injuries. After seeking medical treatment, your next priority should be hiring a skilled car accident attorney.
Conclusion
Injuries from car accidents can be deceptive, often lying dormant before manifesting. Prioritizing your health by seeking an immediate post car accident medical evaluation and staying attentive to any changes in your physical or mental well-being is critical. Equally important is understanding your legal rights and the importance of timely action if you intend to pursue compensation for your injuries from the car accident.
Remember, a car accident’s impact can extend far beyond the initial collision. Staying informed and proactive can make all the difference in your recovery and a successful outcome to your personal injury claim.
We offer California Car Accident Victims a Free Consultation, and there are No Attorney’s Fees Unless We Recover Compensation For You
At The Hassell Law Group, our legal team are experts in car accident law and personal injury law with over 100 years of combined legal experience, and experience matters. We stand up to aggressive insurance companies and have a history of obtaining award-winning results for our clients. We fight every step of the way to achieve the best possible outcome for our car accident clients. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means there is no risk in hiring our law firm.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and case evaluation. We welcome your questions, and our legal team looks forward to helping you obtain just and proper compensation for your personal injury claim.
Read Next: What to Do After a Minor Car Accident in California
The general information provided on this website should not be considered legal advice and does not constitute legal advice. For legal advice, you should consult directly with an attorney. If you contact us by telephone, email, letter, or by contact form submission through this website, please note that such communication does not create or constitute an attorney-client relationship. We cannot act as your attorney until we are hired as your attorney by a formal written agreement.
What to Do After a Minor Car Accident in California