One morning, while driving to work, switching between news and your favorite music, you heard a loud crunch. Your head jerked back and forth. It wasn’t a very severe accident. Or let’s say that it didn’t seem like it at that time.
Even though you were driving slowly, the crash had enough force to destroy your taillights, but you left the scene uninjured even after all this. Just like every accident victim, you took notes, discussed the problem with other drivers, and dealt with the situation. But unfortunately, I forgot to sign a release form with the at-fault driver’s insurance company (more on that later).
So, a few days after the car accident, you felt delayed pain. Now what?It’s a fact that some injuries don’t show up immediately, and pain after a vehicle crash can be delayed for days, weeks, or months.
Vehicle Accident Claim After Delayed Pain
As per the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) Fatality Facts report, California faces the highest number of automobile accidents every year. While many vehicle accident injuries are instantly noticeable, such as scratches and fractures, others might stay hidden for some time.
Following a collision, you should keep a close eye on your pain levels over the next few weeks. Suppose you feel any delayed pain and have already told the insurance company that you were uninjured at the time of the accident. You can still apply for a vehicle accident claim.
Document Your Injury
If you have delayed pain, proving to an insurance company that the collision was the cause of your illness would be not as easy as it may seem. This may be more difficult if you’ve previously told a responding police officer or the at-fault driver’s insurance company that you weren’t injured in the collision.
Remember that, even if you don’t detect any symptoms immediately, you should always seek medical advice before responding to questions regarding possible injuries. Always tell the responding officer that you’re unsure if the accident caused you any harm.
To prove your losses against the at-fault driver’s insurance company, it’s necessary to document your accident injuries properly. If a doctor diagnoses you with injury, hours or days after the accident, document the entire medical procedure as thoroughly as possible. Obtain a letter from your doctor regarding their thoughts on the reason for your injury. Copies should be made of all medical documentation and treatment plans, as well as hospital bills.
Contact The Suspect’s Insurance Company
Notify your insurance company immediately after an incident. Accidents are usually reported immediately by most insurance companies. You might be an exception if you did not see an injury until later. Notify the insurance company of your diagnosis and the fact that you had delayed symptoms. Give no more information or details other than the claims adjuster’s requests. Remember that you don’t need to provide a recorded statement to the insurance provider.
Hire A Car Accident Lawyer
A car accident lawyer may be able to assist you with the claims. However, if you experience delayed pain, you must retain your rights by hiring an attorney. It may be more challenging to persuade an insurance company to view your claim if you initially said you were uninjured.
A lawyer is considerably more able to get the money you deserve, thanks to insurance negotiating, knowing how to spot injuries, and having a thorough grasp of the law. You could risk losing a lot of money if you try to bargain on your own or accept the first settlement offer you get. When you hire a lawyer, be sure that they have the devotion, knowledge, and resources to go to any extent required to get you the money you deserve.
Can You Still File A Personal Injury Claim After Delayed Pain?
The answer to the above question is not yes or no. Unfortunately, your insurance provider has the right to deny your claim if you wait too long to report a personal injury. The following ideas will help you file a delayed injury claim and get the compensation you deserve after an accident.
Obtain The Police Record And Notify The Insurance Company Immediately.
Make sure that your insurance provider has a record of the car accident. Suppose you fail to report a car crash because there were no injuries or vehicle damage at the time. In that case, your insurance company is more likely to deny your claim if you later seek compensation for delayed injuries.
Even If You Are Experiencing A Little Discomfort, Contact A Doctor Right After The Accident.
A doctor can check for injuries and tell you what signs and symptoms to look out for in the following weeks. Provide the evaluation paperwork to your insurance company as proof that you received medical treatment immediately.
Get Legal Advice From An Experienced Attorney.
If you’re not sure how to file a personal injury claim on your own — especially if there are delayed injuries. An attorney can directly represent your case against the insurance company and prove that the accident caused delayed injuries.
Consult With An Attorney Before Accepting A Settlement From An Insurance Company.
Without the assistance of a legal practitioner, determining fair compensation for your injury claim can be challenging. An expert attorney will know how to analyze your medical condition and the insurance plans.
Most Asked Questions Related To Delayed Pain After Car Crash
Stay with us if you wish to learn about delayed pain after a car crash. Here you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions.
Can A Car Accident Cause Delayed Injuries?
Yes, a car accident can cause delayed injuries. The pain generally appears 24-48 hours after the collision and might take much longer in some cases. During a stressful incident like a car accident, our bodies undergo a massive surge of adrenaline and endorphins, which results in delayed pain.
How Long After A Car Accident Can Injuries Appear?
After a car accident, injuries typically show up right away. Still, in some cases, it might take days or even weeks. In rare cases, a life-threatening injury might worsen before the person realizes it was caused by a recent accident. You must follow the advice of the doctor who first treated your injury.
What Are The Symptoms Of Delayed Injuries?
An automobile collision can cause various injuries, but be on the lookout for back or neck discomfort, headaches, numbness, stomach pain, exhaustion, personality changes, or irregular sleep patterns. On the other hand, Whiplash symptoms might take up to 24 hours to appear after the accident. You may feel stiffness in your neck or a chronic headache during the first few days after the injury.
Can I Still File A Personal Injury Claim For Delayed Injuries?
Suppose you sustained injuries in a vehicle accident that was not immediately visible. In that case, you could still file a personal injury claim, especially if the statute of limitations has not expired. The maximum time limit for filing the personal injury claim is three years. However, you should always file an accident claim before as soon as possible.
What Could Cause Delayed Pain After An Accident?
During a stressful incident like a car accident, our bodies undergo a massive surge of adrenaline and endorphins, leading to delayed pain and symptoms. Since delayed pain can conceal the signs of a severe injury, you should contact a doctor immediately after a vehicle accident or as soon as you experience pain.
How Long Do Injuries Take To Show Up After A Car Accident?
In some situations, injuries don’t show up immediately. They may take days or even weeks. A life-threatening injury may worsen for weeks before a person realizes that the recent accident caused it. You must follow the instructions of the doctor who treated your injuries initially.
What Should You Do If You Experience Pain Days After An Accident?
If you are experiencing pain even after several days or months of the accident, you should consult a doctor immediately. Seeking medical care is a great way to treat the root cause of delayed pain. After seeking medical care, hire an attorney since they are more positioned to get the money you deserve for treating the injuries caused due to someone else’s negligence.
How Long After An Accident Can Whiplash Symptoms Appear?
Whiplash symptoms might take up to 24 hours to appear after the accident. You may feel stiffness in your neck or a prolonged headache during the first few days after the injury.
What Could Happen If You Ignore Delayed Pain?
Ignoring delayed pain has no positive outcome. It causes your entire body to become unbalanced. Our body’s mechanism for signaling pain begins to fail, leading to additional health issues. In the worst-case scenario, you may start to feel fatigued, and your muscles may start to weaken.
How Can A Car Accident Attorney Help People With Delayed Auto Accident Pain?
A car accident lawyer may be able to assist you with the claims. A lawyer understands the law thoroughly and is considerably more experienced in negotiating with the insurance provider to get the money you deserve. You may risk losing a lot of money if you try to bargain on your own or accept the first settlement offer you get.
What To Do When You Experience Delayed Pain After An Accident?
If you are experiencing delayed pain after an accident, consult a doctor immediately. If you wish to treat the root cause of delayed pain, seek medical care. After that, hire an attorney to get you the money you deserve for treating the injuries caused due to someone else’s negligence.
How Long Does Adrenaline Stay In Your System After A Car Accident?
During an accident, the victim’s body releases adrenaline to protect them from the trauma. This surge might stay for a few hours or until the next day. When you’re in danger, this hormone is supposed to protect you by producing the “fight or flight” reaction.
Can Whiplash Symptoms Be Delayed?
Yes, Whiplash symptoms can be delayed. It is estimated that 20% of individuals involved in rear-end automobile accidents develop whiplash symptoms, either immediately after the collision or as a delayed symptom. It might take up to 24 hours to appear after the accident. The discomfort may begin right away or grow over days, weeks, or even months.
To conclude, after a car accident, it’s widespread for symptoms to arise later. Don’t worry. Nobody will say that you’re making it up. The stress of an accident might make it difficult to gauge how you feel immediately after the accident. Swelling and inflammation take time to become evident, so don’t ignore the pain you’re feeling hours or days after the accident. Get a professional evaluation as soon as possible.
Ashley Injury Lawyers — Crash Call Ash
Contact Ashley Injury Lawyers for a free case review if you have been hurt in Sacramento, Roseville, Granite Bay, Rocklin, Folsom, Lincoln, or anywhere else in Northern California. We have the expertise, talent, and experience to complete the work while prioritizing the attorney-client relationship. Our auto accident practice areas include Auto Defects, Distracted Driving, Drunk Driving, Reckless Driving, Road Defects, Rollover Accidents, and Speeding Accidents.
We promise to make your experience as easy as possible and aim to obtain the best possible result for your particular injury, either immediate or delayed. We understand that calling an attorney can be intimidating, but Ashley Injury Lawyers will make the process easy for you. If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident due to someone else’s negligence, call 888-ASHLEY-911 or send us a message now for your free case evaluation.
