Some car accident injuries are immediately visible, like broken bones or burns, while others, known as “hidden injuries,” may take days to appear. Even if your injuries weren’t diagnosed right away, a Tucker car accident lawyer can help you pursue compensation for medical expenses and other losses.
Why you should see a doctor immediately after a car accident
When we get into a collision, our bodies produce adrenaline, which masks pain and makes us feel less hurt than we actually are. If someone has soft tissue damage or a similar hidden injury, they may not realize that they’re hurt when the accident happens.
Although “hidden injuries” may hide from you, experienced first responders know what to look for to diagnose injuries that don’t present obvious symptoms. Calling for EMS or going to the hospital right after the wreck gives you a better chance for recovery, as you benefit from early detection of the injuries.
The hidden dangers of delayed car accident injuries
Hidden injuries refer to injuries that don’t readily present symptoms, or ones where a victim feels funny, but attributes it to just feeling “shaken up” after the wreck. Common delayed injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI): Symptoms like confusion, memory loss, and coordination issues may take days or weeks to develop.
- Whiplash: Neck pain, stiffness, and nerve damage often worsen over time.
- Spinal cord injuries: Bruising or herniated discs may not be noticeable immediately but can lead to chronic pain or paralysis if untreated.
How long after a car accident can injuries appear?
The time your injury presents symptoms depends on its location and severity, but in general, you can expect to see indications of a car accident injury within three or four days of the wreck. See a doctor if you feel funny, sore, or stiff after a car wreck, even if it’s been a couple of days. Experienced medical professionals can still properly attribute your injury to the wreck, even if you didn’t call 911 or go to the hospital right after the wreck.
However, the longer you wait for medical care after a car accident, the easier it is for the at-fault driver’s insurance company to claim that your injuries were due to anything other than the wreck.
Hurt in a crash? Don’t wait – call us.
To ensure that you get the full compensation you’re entitled to after a car accident, even if you have a delay in diagnosis, it’s important to work with a law firm with decades of combined experience litigating delayed-injury car wreck cases: Fox Injury Law. We offer you a free consultation, so please call (404) 777-7778 today.
