Delayed Car Accident Symptoms That Could Impact Your Settlement

You might feel lucky to walk away without a scratch following a car accident. But many people don’t realize that some injuries don’t show up immediately. In fact, some of the most serious car accident injuries can take days—or even weeks—to fully appear.

Our Indianapolis car accident injury lawyers want you to understand the risks of delayed car accident injuries to protect your health, legal rights, and peace of mind.

How Delayed Injuries Affect Settlements

Delayed injuries don’t just complicate your recovery; they can complicate your insurance claim. Insurance companies may attempt to deny claims related to delayed injuries, arguing your latent injuries weren’t serious or were caused by something other than the accident. These tactics can leave you significantly undercompensated for your medical treatment.

However, delayed symptoms are very common, and your legal team can help document your condition and advocate for full compensation. If you document your symptoms as they appear, seek medical attention at the first sign of trouble, and talk to a lawyer before accepting a payout, you greatly increase your chances of receiving fair compensation.

Be on the Lookout for These Delayed Car Accident Injuries

Right after an accident, your body floods with adrenaline and endorphins, making you feel better than you actually are. Once the adrenaline wears off, you may start to feel pain, stiffness, dizziness, or emotional symptoms that weren’t there before.

Additionally, some injuries take time to develop or become noticeable. Swelling, inflammation, or internal damage might progress slowly, leading to delayed symptoms. That’s why monitoring your health closely in the days and weeks following a crash is always important—even if you felt fine at the scene.

Here are the most common hidden dangers lurking after a crash.

Internal Bleeding

When: 1-24 hours after the crash

Internal injuries from car accidents may not produce obvious external symptoms immediately, making internal bleeding one of the most deadly delayed injuries. Internal bleeding is a medical emergency.

If you experience any of these symptoms after an accident, go to the ER immediately:

• Abdominal pain or swelling
• Deep bruising
• Dizziness or fainting
• Pale or clammy skin
• Rapid heart rate

Concussion or Brain Injury

When: Hours or days after the accident

Even if you didn’t hit your head during the crash, your brain can still be injured by a sudden jolt. A concussion, a type of mild traumatic brain injury (TBI), can take time to manifest.

Brain injuries can worsen without proper care, so it’s critical to seek medical attention if you notice any of these signs of a concussion after a car accident:

• Persistent headaches
• Confusion or brain fog
• Memory problems
• Nausea or vomiting
• Light or noise sensitivity
• Sleep disturbances
• Mood changes

Whiplash

When: Hours or days after the crash

Whiplash is one of the most frequently delayed crash injuries. It happens when the neck is rapidly jerked forward and backward, often in rear-end collisions.

Whiplash symptoms after a car crash may include:

• Neck pain or stiffness
• Headaches at the base of the skull
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Limited range of motion
• Shoulder or back pain

Back and Spine Injuries

When: Hours, days, or weeks after the accident

Back injuries range from herniated discs and soft tissue damage to spinal cord issues. Sometimes, symptoms may be minor at first and progressively worsen over time.

Delayed treatment for back injuries can lead to long-term disability or chronic pain, so get checked out at the first sign of the following:

• Persistent back pain
• Numbness or tingling in limbs
• Muscle weakness
• Difficulty walking or standing

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

When: Several weeks after the crash

Not all injuries from a car accident are physical. Psychological trauma is very real, and it can take weeks—or even longer—to recognize the signs of PTSD after a car accident.

PTSD from a crash may cause:

• Nightmares or flashbacks
• Anxiety or panic attacks
• Difficulty sleeping
• Irritability or mood swings
• Avoidance of driving or riding in cars

Contact Our Trusted Car Crash Injury Attorneys

If you’ve been in a car accident, trust your instincts and take your health seriously. Monitor your symptoms, get checked out by a medical professional, and don’t be afraid to reach out for legal help if you need it.

Want help navigating your recovery after an accident? Please call Wilson Kehoe Winingham at (317) 920-6400 or contact us for a free, no-obligation case evaluation.

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