When it comes to car accidents, many people are unaware of the delayed appearance of injuries that may result from the collision.
It’s not uncommon for individuals to question how long after a car accident injuries can appear, especially if they feel fine in the immediate moments following a collision.
Injuries from car accidents may not present themselves immediately and, if untreated promptly, can lead to serious health issues. Understanding the delay of some injuries is crucial for anyone involved in an accident.
It’s vital to seek medical attention as it impacts potential legal and insurance matters against the driver that caused you harm. Read on to learn more about the timeline of injuries post-accident and the impact of delayed injury symptoms on your potential settlement.
Reach out to us today at (419) 455-1410 or send an email for a free case review and discover how our Ohio auto accident lawyers can assist you.
How Long After an Accident Can Injuries Show Up?
Understanding how long after a car accident can symptoms appear is crucial for proper diagnosis and treatment. The time it takes for injuries to show up after a car accident varies widely, depending on the nature and severity of the impact and the individual’s overall health.
The length of time when injuries become apparent ranges for many victims from a few hours to several days or sometimes even weeks. This variability affects many injuries, particularly soft tissue injuries that may not immediately present symptoms with the adverse effects evolving.
For example, minor muscle strains or whiplash may take time to become noticeable, as the initial adrenaline rush and shock from the accident often mask pain and discomfort.
What Are Common Injuries After a Car Accident?
Several common injuries may have a delayed onset, with symptoms not immediately apparent in the minutes following a collision. The following includes examples of injuries where delayed pain after an accident is more common and delayed symptoms after a car accident may surface:
- Whiplash. A neck injury resulting from the sudden jerking motion of the head may have silent symptoms that do not manifest until days later. Once apparent, common symptoms include neck stiffness, headaches, and shoulder pain.
- Concussions. Brain injuries occurring from a jolt to the head often create delayed symptoms like dizziness, nausea, and memory problems. These symptoms might take time to develop. The seriousness of an untreated or undiagnosed concussion can create serious health issues for a victim for months.
- Herniated discs. Damage to the spine’s discs may lead to back pain and nerve issues. These symptoms sometimes intensify over time and may easily be attributed to other causes if not diagnosed or identified after an accident.
- Internal injuries. Damage to organs or internal bleeding can be subtle initially but become more pronounced as inflammation or bleeding progresses. Undiagnosed internal injuries are severe and may be fatal.
Awareness of these delayed symptoms is vital for seeking timely medical care and treatment. Additionally, recovering just compensation for your injuries and other losses requires connecting your injuries to the collision. Failing to seek medical attention after an accident allows the at-fault driver to argue that your injuries are unrelated to the accident.
What Damages Am I Entitled to Recover?
In Ohio, victims of car accidents may seek various forms of compensation depending on the extent of their injuries and damages. Typical damages a victim may be entitled to recover are medical expenses covering hospital bills, rehabilitation costs, and ongoing treatments.
Victims may also seek compensation for lost wages if their injury prevents them from working. Pain and suffering, which encompasses emotional distress and physical pain resulting from the accident, are also considered in any settlement or judgment.
Other potential damages include property damage, including the cost of repairing or replacing the damaged vehicle, and, in some cases, punitive damages if the other party’s actions were particularly egregious, wanton, or willful.
Understanding the types of damages a victim is entitled to recover is crucial for ensuring that victims receive the compensation they need to cover their losses and continue on the road to recovery.
Navigating the aftermath of a car accident is challenging, particularly when it comes to recognizing and addressing delayed symptoms.
Victims can better advocate for their health and recovery by understanding how long after a car accident injuries can appear as well as the types of injuries that may not present immediate symptoms.
In Ohio, knowing the types of recoverable damages also helps ensure that individuals are not left bearing the financial burden of their injuries alone.
Contact Us for a Free Consultation
At Bensinger Legal Services, attorney Aaron Bensinger has extensive experience navigating personal injury and civil litigation in Ohio and California. We take the fight to insurance companies and won’t hesitate to take your case to trial.
Our legal team understands how devastating a serious injury can be and wants to help you get your life back. We won’t rest until we obtain the best possible outcome in your case.
Contact us online or call (419) 455-1410 today for a free case review to learn more about what Bensinger Legal Services can do to help you.
Aaron L. Bensinger is an Ohio attorney serving personal injury and civil litigation clients. He has extensive trial experience and makes client service is his primary focus. As a partner at Balyeat, Leahy, Daley, Miller & Bensinger, LLC, Aaron happily works in Lima, OH, and serves the entire Northwest region of the state and beyond.
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