Appleton, WI car accident injury attorneyIn the aftermath of a car accident, sometimes it is immediately clear that you need treatment for a serious injury. However, other injuries may take longer to fully manifest, and the delay may have implications on both your physical and mental recovery and your chances of obtaining compensation through a personal injury claim. You should be aware of some of the common symptoms of delayed onset injuries so that you can take action as soon as possible.

Injury Signs to Watch Out For

After your accident, you should pay close attention to the following possible symptoms that may indicate a more serious problem:

  • Headaches: A headache may not develop immediately after a crash, or you may not notice it right away, but if it comes to your attention in the days following the crash, it could be a sign of a concussion or a blood clot.
  • Neck and back pain: Pain and soreness in the neck, back, and shoulders could indicate whiplash or other soft tissue injuries or damage to your vertebrae or spinal cord that can worsen over time.
  • Abdominal bruising or swelling: Internal bleeding, broken ribs, or organ damage might start out as minor, barely noticeable pain after an accident, but symptoms can progress to visible bruising and swelling as time passes.
  • Changes in mental processes: Confusion, disorientation, memory loss, depression, and impaired senses can all be signs of a serious traumatic brain injury. Recurring visions or nightmares about the crash can also be a sign that you have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Often, crash victims may have symptoms, but they think or remain hopeful that their symptoms will go away in a day or two. Hoping for the best, crash victims may not seek medical care. However, it is always helpful to seek medical attention, both so that a crash victim can receive appropriate diagnoses and care, and also so that their symptoms are documented in the event that symptoms do not resolve in a timely manner. If an insurance company sees “gaps in care” or a lack of medical treatment, it can be make proving an injury more difficult.

Responding to Delayed Onset Injuries

Often, the best way to prevent further complications from delayed onset car accident injuries is to seek medical attention as soon as possible after a crash, even if you are not sure that you have been injured. A health professional can perform diagnostic tests to recognize the early signs of head, neck, spine, and internal injuries and provide you with timely treatment that can aid in your recovery. The records of your treatment and the injuries you suffered can also be used to strengthen your case for compensation through a personal injury claim.

If you start to recognize symptoms in the days and weeks following the accident, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as you become aware of them. The longer you wait, the more possible it is for a liable party to argue that your injuries were caused by something other than the accident. Promptly attending to your injuries can also help you file your claim within the statute of limitations, which is three years from the date of the accident for Wisconsin personal injury cases.

Contact a Green Bay, WI Personal Injury Attorney

The experienced Appleton car crash injury lawyers at Herrling Clark Law Firm Ltd. want to help you as soon as possible after your accident. We can not only advise you on how to create and preserve records of your injuries and treatment, but we can also work to gather evidence of another driver’s negligence, including photos and videos, witness testimony, 911 calls, and police reports. Call us today at 920-739-7366 for a free consultation.

Sources:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1924661/

https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/893/v/54