Delayed Injury Symptoms After a Car Accident?

Car accidents are a common unfortunate occurrence in Ohio. While most injuries will be apparent right at the scene, not all are. Sometimes, the symptoms of an injury, like pain, can manifest hours or even days later. 

Still, these injuries may not only be life-threatening but also lead to life-altering consequences or impact the outcome of any subsequent car accident claim you may need to navigate. 

Understanding the need to remain vigilant for post-accident injury symptoms is crucial to your health and legal rights. So, keep reading for in-depth knowledge about these potential injuries.

Injuries That May Not Present Immediately After a Car Accident

In a car accident, injuries like sprains, fractures, and bruises are visible physically. Also, cuts, with their bleeding, are usually visible and immediate. However, there are cases where you may not feel the pain until later due to an adrenaline rush. This response can last minutes to an hour, and the pain may begin once it subsides. 

Still, some injuries, such as concussions and whiplash, and certain spinal cord injuries may take longer to appear. A concussion, often from a head blow, may show symptoms after three days or longer. Whiplash, from a sudden stop or change in direction, might take a few days to manifest. 

Similarly, some spinal cord injuries may show symptoms gradually, sometimes taking weeks to emerge fully.

Navigating Delayed Symptom Claims

Navigating claims for injuries with delayed symptoms can be intricate because you may not immediately associate these symptoms with your car accident, potentially weakening your claim. 

For instance, suppose you feel fine immediately following the accident and decline medical examination. Days or weeks later, you begin experiencing severe backaches, which a doctor diagnoses as a spinal cord injury from the accident. 

The gap between the accident and the diagnosis could confuse the cause of injury, making it strenuously challenging to establish the accident as the root cause of your claim. 

The Critical Need for Immediate Medical Attention

In the aftermath of a car accident, seeking prompt medical attention is of utmost importance, even if you feel you’ve escaped unscathed. Start with calling 911 at the accident scene, which brings paramedics a vital first step in addressing potential injuries. 

“Unless your injuries are visibly life-threatening, paramedics will not force their services on you when they show up. However, accepting their medical aid is advisable,” says injury attorney Charles Boyk

Besides providing immediate treatment and documenting visible injuries, you will create an invaluable link between the accident and any subsequent injuries that may surface later. 

This evidence trail by starting medical treatment at the scene could support your claim should any related health issues arise. If, for some reason, you do not receive medical treatment at the scene, it’s crucial to visit an Emergency Room within no more than 72 hours post-accident. 

Engaging a Toledo Car Accident Lawyer

Not everyone is privy to the intricacies of personal injury law. This reality often leads to mistakes, especially when one doesn’t seek prompt medical intervention after a car accident in Toledo. In such cases, the prospects for compensation recovery may appear slim. 

However, all may not be lost. By securing the services of a car accident lawyer, you could potentially make a successful claim. These legal experts can present valid reasons in court to justify delayed medical treatment to salvage your claim. 

But remember, these outcomes might not match what you’d receive had you sought immediate medical care.

Also Read: Understanding the Legal Process of Motorcycle Accident Lawsuits