Have you ever had a bruise pop up on your arm or leg, and you couldn’t remember what you bumped into? Even though a bruise begins immediately when tiny blood vessels break under the skin, the visible blue mark might not show up for 1 to 2 days.
That’s just one example of an injury that can have a delayed reaction.
After a car accident, many injuries might go undiagnosed. That can complicate your ability to get fair compensation if another driver’s negligence caused that accident. The reason is that the longer your injury goes undiagnosed, the more likely the insurance company could assert that your injuries weren’t caused by the car accident but by another event.
Insurance companies claim the filing process is simple. However, when there are disputes and your expenses are growing, you need an advocate in the form of a skilled Jackson car accident attorney. An experienced attorney can work towards securing a fair settlement that covers all the injuries that occurred as a result of the accident.
If you’ve been involved in an accident, it is important to understand the full range of injuries that might go undiagnosed.
Soft Tissue Damage and Whiplash with Delayed Symptoms
Whiplash and soft tissue damage are very common injuries in a car accident. They happen when the force of an impact jolts your body forward and backward. Even when restrained by a seat belt, you can still suffer from the impact of that collision.
After a crash, your body releases stress hormones like adrenaline. These hormones mask pain so you can get yourself out of danger. Once those hormones fade, the pain of whiplash will often reveal itself. These are the symptoms that can show up one to three days after a car accident:
Neck and upper body: You might experience stiffness, a reduced range of motion, and tenderness in the shoulders or upper back.
Head and face: Headaches start at the base of the skull. They can also create jaw tension or dizziness.
Nerve signs: You might experience tingling, burning, or a “pins and needles” sensation radiating down the arms.
Cognitive effects: Whiplash and soft tissue damage can also manifest with fatigue, sleep disruptions, or brain fog.
Doctors diagnose whiplash with a physical and neurological exam, and may order X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs to rule out more serious injuries. Those diagnostic expenses should be included in any settlement demand.
Internal Bleeding and Organ Damage Without Visible Bruising
A high-impact collision from a car accident can transfer the force deep into your body and result in internal organ damage. Several days after the accident, you might experience bruising around the area, but not always.
Instead, you might experience the following:
- Lightheadedness
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Increased heart rate
- Persistent or deep, sharp pain in the chest or abdomen
- Stomach area feeling tight, hard, or swollen
- Pale, cold, or clammy skin
- Confusion
- Weakness
- Fainting spells
These symptoms require immediate medical attention, especially if you’ve been in a recent accident.
Concussions and Mild Traumatic Brain Injuries
Just as the jolt of a car accident can cause soft tissue damage and whiplash, it can also cause injury to your brain. It’s hard to imagine, but that impact can force your brain to shift in your skull. These are minute shifts that can have serious repercussions. The result of that shift could be a concussion.
A concussion is a form of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Delayed concussion symptoms can include headaches, brain fog, and dizziness. A concussion might also cause irritability, unusual anxiety, insomnia, or sleeping much more than normal.
There are also red flag warning signs such as repeated vomiting, worsening severe headaches, unequal pupil sizes, seizures, or confusion. When you experience those symptoms, you should go to an emergency room right away. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides a helpful guide on what you should do after a mild TBI or concussion.
How Undiagnosed Injuries Affect Your Insurance Claim
To prove your accident claim, you need to establish causation. That links the accident to your injury. A late diagnosis can extend the causation gap. That provides an opportunity for the insurance company to claim that your injuries could have been caused by something else.
The insurance company also might offer a quick settlement to satisfy the case. When that happens, you’ll sign a release that waives the claim and any future claims. What if your injuries show up after you’ve signed that waiver? You might not be able to receive any additional funds.
You can protect your claim with two crucial steps: See a doctor and talk to a lawyer. After a car accident, you should see a doctor within 24 hours, even if you feel fine. When you tell the doctor what happened, they can zero in on a potential problem and order vital diagnostic exams that will help you get ahead of your injury.
Speaking with an experienced attorney will also help protect your interests.
The attorneys at Pittman, Roberts & Welsh, PLLC have helped many Jackson residents who have been the victims of a car accident caused by another driver’s negligence. We understand the importance of gathering all relevant evidence to support your claim. We also know how vital it is to give you the space to focus on your recovery. We’ll handle the discussions with the insurance company.
If you experience any symptoms after a car accident, get to your doctor. Then call Pittman, Roberts & Welsh, PLLC to set up a free consultation. We can provide guidance about how to fortify your claim.
