Delayed Symptoms After a Car Accident Could Be Signs of Serious Injury
More than 5 million auto accidents occur in the United States each year. In those crashes, over 1.5 million people are injured. Some injuries are minor, but others can have a significant impact on the life of the victim. Sadly, not all of these severe injury victims will receive compensation. This is because far too many of them do not seek treatment until it is too late. If you are involved in a vehicle collision, it is extremely important to know how to avoid the same troubling fate.
Adrenaline and Injury Symptoms
When a crash happens, the body of a person who was involved usually becomes flooded with adrenaline. The release of adrenaline tends to create the “fight or flight” response. It also redirects the body’s attention away from registering pain to a large extent. This natural response to trauma can mask the symptoms of an injury, leading the victim to believe they are fine. Even more troubling is that, even when symptoms do start to manifest, victims may not directly attribute them to the accident. If they continue to overlook the connection and never seek treatment, their risk for long-term complications and even death can increase dramatically
Symptoms That Indicate a Serious Injury
One of the biggest reasons that victims may not immediately attribute their delayed symptoms to an accident is that, at first glance, the symptoms may seem fairly minor. For example, a simple headache after a crash could be an indication of a traumatic brain injury (TBI), a blood clot, or brain hemorrhage. Pain and stiffness in the neck or shoulder area, which might be written off as stress from the accident, could be an indication of whiplash. Back pain could indicate a herniated disc or damage to the nerves or muscles of the spine
Receiving Treatment and Compensation for Your Injuries
The first step to ensuring you are compensated for your injuries is to make sure you receive prompt medical treatment. This documents the crash, and it connects your injuries to that crash. Next, you should contact an experienced personal injury attorney. This will ensure that your rights are protected and that all factors and injuries are considered in your accident settlement.
Sources:
https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/812101
http://ktar.com/story/605000/7-delayed-injury-symptoms-after-a-car-crash/
