Even minor fender benders can cause significant injuries. Unfortunately, in the adrenaline-fueled haze of a traumatic event, symptoms of serious injuries may not always be apparent. Delayed car accident injury symptoms can sometimes take hours or even days to manifest. These late-onset car accident injuries don’t just jeopardize your health. They can impact your Oklahoma car accident claim.
Learning more about hidden injuries after a car crash can help protect you from significant medical complications and preserve your legal rights.
Common Delayed Car Accident Injuries
Common delayed car accident injuries can include:
- Whiplash
- Concussions and other traumatic brain injuries
- Back injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Concussion delayed symptoms, such as pain, confusion, blurred vision, and other issues, may develop gradually over time. Any suspected head injury should be cause for concern and requires immediate medical attention.
Many accident victims do not immediately notice that they are injured. Their injuries may not be immediately apparent due to the development of adrenaline. Adrenaline is a hormone that floods the body during times of intense stress or trauma. It is one of the chemicals that is essential to the human “fight-or-flight” response. During a stressful event, such as a car accident, this hormone is released into the bloodstream, making an individual more alert and responsive. It can also mask pain and other signs of injury, allowing a person to react more effectively to a traumatic event.
Unfortunately, this adrenaline rush can also hide signs of injuries after a car accident. Car accident victims may experience a delayed onset of symptoms, which can lead to long-term complications. For example, many people can experience delayed whiplash symptoms and may avoid seeking immediate medical attention. Sometimes, signs of soft tissue damage, such as bruising and swelling, can take time to manifest. You should seek medical attention after a car crash to ensure your injuries are properly diagnosed and documented.
Common Delayed Injury Symptoms to Watch Out For
Delayed symptoms of injuries can occur anywhere from hours to days after an accident. Signs victims should watch for that may indicate they have late onset of car accident injuries include:
- Pain or stiffness in the neck or back
- Persistent headaches
- Numbness or tingling in the limbs
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Sleep disturbances
- Stomach pain
- Neck pain
- Shoulder pain
Many of these symptoms can indicate traumatic head injuries, whiplash, or other severe conditions. Delayed abdominal pain or swelling may also be an indication that there is internal bleeding or organ damage.
The issue with hidden injuries after a car crash is that individuals may wait to seek the crucial medical treatment they need to address those injuries, compromising their health and safety. Another problem with issues such as delayed whiplash symptoms is that insurers may use a delay in seeking medical care as a reason to diminish the value of an accident claim or deny the claim. They may speculate that since the individual did not seek immediate medical attention, their injuries are not as severe as they claim or were not directly caused by the car crash.
Contact Cain Law for Help After a Delayed Injury Appears
With over $250 million in verdicts and settlements won for Oklahoma clients, the Oklahoma car accident lawyers at Cain Law advocate for the rights of accident victims and their families. We prioritize your health and safety, ensuring you receive the necessary medical care while we focus on the specifics of your case.
Contact our office for assistance after a delayed injury occurs and receive a free consultation. If you can’t come to us, we’ll visit you at home or in the hospital. Let us help. Call now. In pain? Call Cain.
