When a car accident happens, sometimes you know immediately that you or someone you love has been hurt in the crash. That’s not the case in every situation, though. Your body has been through a shock, you likely have adrenaline pumping, and you may not be thinking clearly. This can make it harder for you to know the extent of your damage.
Unfortunately, injuries that are not diagnosed in the aftermath of the accident could cause serious physical damage to your body over time. It can also be harder to get compensation for these injuries because if they are not documented right away, you may have a difficult time proving they happened because of the collision.
Diaco Law has represented many clients who experienced delayed car accident injuries, and we know how to handle these complex cases. Our compassionate legal team will work with you to get the care you need, gather the evidence, and fight for compensation. To learn how we can help, contact our auto accident lawyers in Tampa today.
Common Delayed Injuries and Symptoms
Certain types of car accident injuries are more likely than others to result in delayed diagnosis. Some of the most common delayed car accident injuries include the following:
Concussion
A concussion occurs when you suffer traumatic injury to your brain. When you become involved in a car accident, you could hit your head and cause a concussion, but the force and impact can also cause your brain to move within your skull and suffer this damage. As a result, you may not know immediately that you suffered this injury.
Symptoms of concussion include:
- Confusion
- Slurred speech
- Ringing in the ears
- Dizziness
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Memory loss
- Blurry vision
- Sleep disturbances
Whiplash
Whiplash occurs when your neck moves too forcefully back and forth as a result of the crash. It often occurs due to rear-end accidents and can impact mobility.
Symptoms of whiplash include:
- Neck pain
- Stiffness
- Headaches
- Neurological problems, including numbness and tingling in your hands or arms
- Dizziness
Herniated discs
Because you are seated when you are in a crash, your back absorbs a lot of the pressure. A backache after a crash may seem like a mild injury you’ll get over quickly, but that’s not necessarily the case. You could herniate a disc, do damage to the nerves, or damage your soft tissue, which can have lasting consequences.
Symptoms include:
- Sharp burning pain
- Muscle tingling
- Shooting pain in your buttocks or legs
- Muscle weakness
- Pain or stiffness
What Should You Do if You Have Delayed Injuries?
There are just a few of many examples of delayed injuries after a car accident. Other examples include:
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
- Spinal injuries
- Neck injuries
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
You should always undergo prompt medical treatment after an auto accident so you can make sure that you get a diagnosis that is as comprehensive as possible. You want your injuries documented in your medical records.
If you still discover an injury days, weeks, or even months later, discuss the cause of the crash with your doctor and make sure your medical chart is updated to document the severity of your injuries.
You should also reach out to an experienced attorney at Diaco Law who can help you to document the cause of the injuries and to find experts who will testify as to why your symptoms would have been delayed even when the car accident was the ultimate cause.
Contact a delayed injury car accident lawyer today
Diaco Law has a long history of helping clients who experienced delayed injuries, and we have successfully recovered compensation for our clients even in these difficult cases.
While the facts of your claim determine your outcomes, we can put together a solid case with strong testimony from experts that maximizes your chances of success. Give us a call today to talk with our Tampa personal injury lawyers to schedule a free consultation and learn how we can help.