Car accidents can have catastrophic effects on victims, but some of those effects are not always immediate. Many car accident victims suffer delayed injuries and find it hard to recover fair compensation from insurance companies and at-fault drivers. Here is what you need to know about delayed injuries stemming from car accidents.
What Is a Delayed Injury?
A “delayed injury” refers to an injury that does not show immediate symptoms. The injury may have occurred during the collision, but they did not present symptoms at that time. Instead, they may start showing symptoms hours, days, or weeks after the event that caused them. For example, you might notice a broken leg because you can’t walk or see the bone jutting out, but you might not realize you have suffered a head injury until you start feeling dizziness or cognitive symptoms.
Why Are Some Injuries Delayed After a Car Accident?
There are many reasons why car accident injuries are not immediately apparent after a car crash. First, the body often creates a surge of adrenaline during life-threatening events as a form of protection. This chemical is triggered during the body’s natural fight-or-flight response. Your muscles might stiffen in anticipation of impact so much that you experience muscle spasms that mask damage to your joints or skin. You could also experience an increased energy, making you think that you are fine. It is not until your muscles relax from spasming that you may begin to experience symptoms.
Second, you could experience a wave of endorphins, which are brain peptides that block the perception of pain. Together, adrenaline and endorphins might mask injuries and make you believe you have not been injured when you really have.
Third, many people often experience shock after a car accident. This can temporarily mask pain and other symptoms of injury. Also, injuries can
Also, injury evolution can come into play, meaning that some injuries evolve over time. For example, bleeding can accumulate, nerve irritation can increase once inflammation begins, or small tears can swell. Additionally, you likely want to believe that you are okay because recognizing that you have suffered an injury in a car accident can be a frightening thought.
Common Delayed Symptoms of Car Accident Injuries
As the adrenaline and endorphins wear off and their effects begin to fade, you might start experiencing various delayed injury symptoms, such as:
- Back pain: Pain along the spine, lower back, or mid-back is a common symptom associated with car accident injuries. This symptom could indicate various injuries, including spinal disc damage, whiplash, herniated discs, pinched nerves, ligament injuries, muscle strain, or other serious injuries.
- Joint pain: Pain in the knee, elbow, hip, shoulder, or other joints can be caused by tears in the cartilage, ligaments, or joints.
- Neck and shoulder pain: Stiffness, soreness, aches, or pains in the neck and shoulder could indicate whiplash, soft tissue injuries, or other neck injuries.
- Abdominal pain: Pain, swelling, or bruising in the stomach can indicate internal bleeding or organ damage. This symptom should be taken very seriously, as these conditions can become life-threatening if left untreated.
- Headaches: Headaches that are persistent or worsening can signal traumatic brain injuries, neck injuries, whiplash, or a cranial bleed, among other conditions.
- Numbness or tingling: Sensations described as pins and needles, especially in the extremities, can suggest a pinched nerve, herniated disc, spinal injury, nerve compression, or nervous system problem.
- Emotional changes: Not all accident-related symptoms are physical in nature. Some are emotional. Monitor for cognitive issues like lack of concentration or forgetfulness, emotional outbursts, or anxiety, as these may indicate psychological damage.
These symptoms may worsen with time, so it’s critical to seek medical attention immediately.
Common Delayed Car Accident Injuries
The symptoms above and others may be associated with injuries, such as:
Concussions
A concussion is a type of mild traumatic brain injury, caused by a sudden jolt or blow to the head. It temporarily alters brain function and can cause symptoms such as:
- A headache that worsens
- Confusion
- Memory problems
- Nausea or vomiting
- Sensitivity to light or noise
- Trouble concentrating
- Mood swings
Research indicates that anywhere between 13% and 62% of concussion patients develop a separate medical condition called Post-Concussion Syndrome. This condition involves concussion symptoms that persist beyond the expected period of time. The Mayo Clinic reports the following symptoms associated with this condition:
- Ringing in the ears
- Dizziness
- Insomnia
- Impaired memory function
- Irritability
- Visual disturbances
- Fatigue
- Depression
Some people suffer a concussion and don’t realize it because they never lost consciousness, but this symptom does not appear in all cases of concussions. Some of the symptoms discussed above do not emerge until several days or weeks after the accident.
Whiplash
Whiplash is one of the most common injuries that car accident victims suffer. It is a neck injury caused by the rapid back-and-forth movement of the neck, replicating the cracking of a whip, hence its name. Many people start to feel neck pain or stiffness or other symptoms hours or days after the auto accident.
According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of whiplash include the following:
- Neck pain and stiffness
- Pain that worsens with neck movement
- Headaches that begin behind the eyes or at the base of the skull
- Neck or shoulder pain
- Reduced range of motion
- Fatigue
- Dizziness or vertigo
- Loss or range of motion in the neck
- Tenderness in the shoulder, upper back, or arms
- Tingling or numbness in the arms
- Fatigue
Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal injuries are some of the most serious injuries that car accident victims suffer. Car accident victims can suffer spinal fractures, spinal disc damage, herniated discs, or other spinal cord injuries. These injuries can have a devastating effect on victims, potentially leading to partial or complete paralysis, loss of mobility, and other life-altering effects.
However, symptoms of spinal cord damage do not always immediately manifest. For example, shooting leg pain and numbness can develop over days as inflammation increases. Unfortunately, if spinal cord injuries are not immediately diagnosed and treated, they can worsen and potentially lead to irreversible damage.
Symptoms to look out for that may indicate spinal cord injuries include the following:
- Numbness or weakness in the legs
- Back pain that worsens with time
- Changes in bowel or bladder function
- Stiffness
- Limited mobility or difficulty moving
Internal Organ Injuries
Seat belts and airbag deployment can cause blunt force trauma, resulting in hidden injuries inside the body. Likewise, the accident can cause that trauma to the victim. Victims may not see physical symptoms of these injuries, leading them to mistakenly believe that they were not injured.
Meanwhile, the body could be coping with internal injuries, including injuries to its organs like the liver, spleen, or kidneys. Internal organ injuries may be indicated by symptoms such as:
- New or worsening abdominal pain
- Abdominal distention
- Severe bruising
- Swelling
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Blood in urine
- Fainting
- Shoulder pain
- Low blood pressure
- Confusion
Another concern is that the victim could suffer from internal bleeding. This happens when blood vessels are damaged due to impact and the blood escapes into the body’s cavities or tissues. Bleeding could be contained by the surrounding tissue immediately after the accident, preventing symptoms from appearing right away.
Vascular Injuries and Dissections
Some car accident victims may suffer arterial dissections, such as carotid artery dissections, that have stroke-like symptoms, such as new neurological deficits, severe headaches, unsteady gait, and vision loss.
Blood Clots
Another serious condition that may go unnoticed at first is blood clots. When the body experiences blunt force trauma, large amounts of blood can flow to where the injury occurred, which can form a clot and cut off circulation. If left untreated, this can cause a heart attack or stroke.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Strains, sprains, and damage to the muscles, ligaments, and tendons are common soft tissue injuries that car accident victims suffer. These injuries might not be immediately visible and may go unnoticed until swelling, pain, soreness, or reduced movement sets in.
Psychological Injuries
Beyond physical injuries, motor vehicle accidents can cause emotional injuries. For example, many victims suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, or anxiety. Symptoms of these injuries might include the following:
- Nightmares or flashbacks
- Reliving the accident
- Avoiding vehicles
- Sleep disturbances
- Personality changes
- Forgetfulness
- Mood swings
- Lack of concentration
- Lack of functioning at school or work
- Panic attacks
Proving Delayed Injuries
One of the complexities involved in auto crash cases involving delayed injuries is that the insurance company might try to argue that your injury did not occur because of the accident or that it is not a severe injury just because there was a delay in treatment. The insurance company might try to blame some other incident or medical condition for your injury.
The onus is on you to prove that your injuries are related to the accident. Proof that may help you establish this includes the following:
- Medical records
- Car accident reports
- Traffic camera footage
- Reports from medical providers
- Medical imaging tests
- Testimony from medical experts
Your personal injury attorney can help gather and assemble this evidence.
Recovering Fair Financial Compensation for Delayed Injuries
If you have suffered delayed injuries, you may be able to recover compensation for the various damages you suffered in the car accident, including:
- Emergency room visits
- Diagnostic tests, including X-rays, blood work, CT scans, and MRIs
- Doctor visits and follow-up appointments
- Physical therapist and rehabilitation expenses
- Chiropractic care
- Appointments with medical specialists
- Future medical expenses
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Property damage
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Lost enjoyment of life
An experienced car accident attorney from our personal injury law firm can work tirelessly to identify all damages you are entitled to and fight for your fair recovery.
What to Do If You May Have Suffered a Delayed Injury in a Car Crash
The first thing to do is to realize that you might not experience symptoms right away. It’s common for these symptoms to manifest hours or days after an accident, so carefully monitor yourself for common symptoms associated with car accident injuries. Even if you initially feel fine after a car accident, it’s important to seek immediate medical attention so that you can get checked out. Imaging tests may be able to reveal injuries that you weren’t even aware of.
By having a thorough medical exam after a traffic accident, you ensure that your injuries are properly diagnosed and documented. You have a limited amount of time following an auto crash to seek medical treatment and receive your PIP benefits, so don’t delay. Also, not seeking treatment can result in further deterioration and more severe injuries or complications.
When you seek medical treatment, mention the motor vehicle accident so that it is linked to your injuries in your medical records. Explain to your medical provider the symptoms that you are experiencing and when you started experiencing them.
Keep all of your medical records related to your accident, including medical bills, receipts, treatment plans, doctor’s notes, and diagnostic imaging test results. Give all of these to your personal injury lawyer, who will know how best to present them to the insurance company.
Do not provide a recorded statement to the insurance adjuster. Insurance companies train their employees to try to minimize victims’ injuries to protect their bottom line. Your auto accident lawyer can handle communications with the insurance company to protect your rights.
Schedule a Free Consultation
If you were involved in a car accident and suffered delayed injuries, you need legal representation to ensure that your rights are protected and you are not taken advantage of by the auto insurance company. You don’t have to handle the complex process alone, especially after you’re experiencing pain and other symptoms. Cousin Benny Personal Injury has extensive experience helping injury victims recover compensation for accidents that were someone else’s fault. Contact us today for a free case review.
Cousin Benny Injury Lawyers are legal professionals and not doctors. Nothing contained herein is intended to be taken as medical advice. If you believe you are experiencing any of the symptoms described herein you should seek the advice of a medical professional.