Delayed injury symptoms after a car accident
Not all crash victims feel pain immediately after a crash. When a police officer responds to the scene of a crash, he or she may ask if anyone was hurt. If you're not feeling any pain at the moment, you may report that you're completely fine and able to go about your day.
As back pain, headaches, neck pain, or other symptoms of an injury set in days later, you may be feel that it's necessary to get medical attention. The car accident attorneys at Twenge + Twombley Law Firm have seen this type of thing happen often. We have seen how insurance companies take advantage of crash victims who aren't aware of their rights.
That's why in the event you are involved in a crash, it's best to seek prompt medical attention, even if you don't feel any immediate pain. If you were already involved in a crash, it's not too late to get the medical attention you need and begin pursuing a car accident claim.
Despite the insurance company's argument that you waited too long to get medical attention, your doctor can still link your injury with your crash. Our attorneys can handle the rest.
What delayed injuries should I be aware of after a car accident?
Some injuries are obvious. If you broke a bone, sustained a laceration, or lost consciousness during a crash, then you may already know that it's time to get medical attention. Certain injuries can sneak up on you days later. These usually include:
- Whiplash: Whiplash is a neck injury that is often caused by rear-end collisions. Damage to the neck often occurs when someone's head whips forward and backward rapidly. Common whiplash symptoms include neck pain and stiffness, limited neck mobility, pain in the shoulders and arms, tingling or burning in the limbs, fatigue and dizziness.
- Spinal injury: The impact of a crash can cause damage to the spine. This often happens when a disc gets dislodged or ruptured, placing pressure on the nerves in the spine. Symptoms of spinal injuries often include tingling and burning in the limbs, back pain, sciatica and limited mobility.
- Mild traumatic brain injury: A bump on the head may not seem like a big deal when it happens. Ignoring a mild traumatic brain injury or concussion is never a risk you want to take. Symptoms can include confusion, loss of memory, headaches, irritability, nausea, vomiting, fatigue and dizziness.
- Soft tissue injury: It doesn't take much impact to cause an injury to the muscles, tendons or ligaments. A soft tissue injury may not seem serious at first. Swelling, pain, and inflammation can occur hours later or the following day.
How can I get started on my car accident claim?
Learn about the legal options available to you, if you sustained an injury in a crash. Contact our law firm. The South Carolina attorneys at Twenge + Twombley Law Firm will investigate your crash, accurately tally up all of the damages accrued and advocate for the full extent of compensation.
To get started, fill out our contact form. We offer free case evaluations to clients in the Beaufort, Bluffton and Hilton Head areas.