How Long After a Car Accident Can Injuries Show Up?
Not all car accident injuries are visible and apparent immediately after the collision. If you walked away with just a few scratches or no visible injuries, it does not necessarily mean that you have not been injured at all.
Some injuries take days or even weeks to show up after a car accident, which is why you should:
- Seek medical attention after the crash to diagnose your injuries (even if you feel fine);
- Keep an eye on any new symptoms after the accident; and
- Talk to a car accident attorney to help you file a claim and pursue compensation for your damages.
Contact our Miami car accident attorneys at Pita Weber Del Prado if you experience delayed symptoms following the crash.
Injuries that are immediately apparent after a car accident
Broadly speaking, car accident injuries can be broken down into three categories:
- Injuries immediately apparent after the crash
- Delayed injuries that take up to two days to show up
- Delayed injuries that take more than two days to manifest themselves
The following three types of injuries are almost always immediately apparent following a car crash:
- Burns
- Cuts, lacerations, and scrapes
- Facial injuries or disfigurement
Delayed injuries that take up to two days to show up
The following types of car accident injuries could take up to 48 hours after the crash to show up:
- Concussion. Look for symptoms such as headaches, mood swings, dizziness, slower reaction or response time, trouble sleeping, confusion, nausea, and memory loss. In some cases, it could take weeks to develop concussion symptoms.
- Whiplash. Look for signs of whiplash that include neck or shoulder pain, headaches, fatigue, blurred vision, dizziness, difficulty sleeping and concentrating, numbness in the hands, and tinnitus.
- Internal bleeding or organ damage. Symptoms include stomach pain, abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, dizziness, fainting, deep purple bruising, and constipation.
See a doctor immediately if you notice any of these symptoms hours, days, or weeks after the accident.
Delayed injuries that take several days to show up
These injuries could take several days or even weeks after the car crash to manifest themselves:
- Soft tissue injuries, including injuries to the ligaments (sprains), injuries to the muscles and tendons (strains), and contusions or bruises that occur when blood capillaries have been ruptured.
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is common after violent car wrecks. This condition can have a major impact on the victim’s quality of life. Symptoms of PTSD include constant fear, mood swings, anxiety, hopelessness, negative thoughts, suicidal thoughts, insomnia or difficulty sleeping, and poor concentration, among others.
If you are experiencing any delayed car accident injuries, you should visit a doctor right away. If you did not go to a hospital immediately after the crash and your injuries showed up days, weeks, or even months later, you may have a hard time seeking compensation for those injuries.
Your insurance company may deny your personal injury claim by arguing that your injuries were caused by another event. For this reason, it is vital to seek help from a personal injury lawyer to help you pursue compensation for your delayed injuries after the crash. Contact Pita Weber Del Prado to schedule a consultation. Call 305-670-2889.
https://www.pwdlawfirm.com/8-things-to-consider-after-a-car-accident-during-the-covid-19-pandemic/
