Delayed injuries are a common phenomenon after automobile accidents. From adrenaline masking the pain of an injury to symptoms not arising until an injury worsens, there are many reasons why injuries may not be immediately discovered. In this situation, the victim still has the right to seek compensation, but the claim may have challenges.
Common Types of Delayed Injuries
Many people survive car accidents in New York feeling relatively normal, only to realize hours or days later that they are experiencing pain, stiffness, dizziness or other injury symptoms. Sometimes, these symptoms lead to serious injury diagnoses and affect the individual’s ability to work.
Common examples of delayed car accident injuries include:
- Whiplash
- Back and spine injuries
- Herniated or slipped disks
- Pinched nerves
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
- Concussions
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Soft-tissue injuries
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Just because an injury is not immediately apparent after an auto accident does not mean it is not serious. Many delayed-onset injuries are severe and even life-threatening. They may be hidden by shock, adrenaline or a nerve injury that causes numbness, or they may only have subtle symptoms until they become more advanced.
Symptoms That May Point to an Injury
You should always visit a hospital after getting involved in a car accident of any kind, even if you don’t think you’ve been injured. A doctor can run tests and imaging scans to detect an injury before it causes noticeable symptoms. Prompt medical care is important for your physical recovery, and it also documents your injury for the record. It shows that your injury is connected to the crash.
It is especially recommended that you visit a hospital if you notice any symptoms following the accident. This includes serious bruising, pain, trouble moving any part of the body, persistent headache, dizziness, confusion, blurred vision, numbness or tingling, slurred speech, nausea or vomiting, trouble sleeping, or difficulty breathing. These symptoms could point to a serious injury.
How to Handle Delayed Car Accident Injuries
If you experience delayed symptoms and are diagnosed with an injury days after a car accident has taken place, it is imperative that you promptly and properly document your crash-related injuries. Keep all relevant medical records, x-rays, doctor’s notes, treatment plans, hospital bills and lost wage statements.
Expect a car insurance company to point out the delay and try to use it to avoid liability for your claim. You can combat these insurance company tactics with detailed injury documentation. Write down a description of what you felt and experienced after your accident. Don’t wait to seek treatment. Before dealing with an insurer, seek help from an experienced car accident attorney in Forest Hills, NY.
When to Contact a New York Car Accident Attorney
If you have to file an insurance claim involving delayed onset injuries, an insurance company may try to minimize or reject your settlement. They may argue that your injuries were pre-existing, they arose from something other than the car accident, you are exaggerating your symptoms or you failed to mitigate your losses by delaying medical care.
A skilled personal injury lawyer can represent you during insurance claim negotiations to protect your financial recovery. It is important not to accept a settlement before reviewing your options with a lawyer. An attorney will give you an accurate estimation of how much your delayed injury claim is worth, then help you fight for a fair settlement.