Reasons for the Delayed Onset of Injuries
After an auto accident, it may take a few days for people to become aware that they have become injured. For one thing, when a person is involved in a car accident, adrenaline often spikes. This leads people to not be aware of what are sometimes quite serious injuries until after the adrenaline has worn off — which can be hours later. There are a number of other reasons besides adrenaline why there may be a delayed onset of injuries after an auto accident.
However, before we talk about what those are, if you have been in a car accident — even just a minor one — it is important for you to always visit a hospital immediately after a collision. The doctors will be able to run diagnostic tests, like x-rays, to make sure that you haven’t broken any bones or have other injuries that require immediate action. This information will also help you get what you deserve if and when you decide to go to court over a personal injury due to an auto accident. On such an occasion, you need skilled, experienced personal injury lawyers to help you get fair and full compensation. With more than 50 years of experience helping clients win their personal injury cases, The Law Office of Fredson Statmore Bitterman in New Jersey will give you the dedicated, personalized advocacy you deserve. Contact us today to get a free consultation regarding your auto accident and personal injury claim.
What Causes the Delayed Onset of Injuries
We’ve talked about how adrenaline can make you not realize you have been injured for a while, but there are some other reasons that lead to the late onset of injuries as well:
1. Soft Tissue Injuries
Some injuries simply take a while to become apparent. In particular, soft tissue injuries, like whiplash, can take days or even weeks to manifest. These injuries will not show up on an x-ray, but they can involve serious damage. Getting proper medical treatment for something like whiplash is imperative as soon as you are aware of it. Common symptoms of soft tissue damage are pain, swelling, and reduced mobility.
2. Developmental Injuries
Some injuries cause a chain reaction of subsequent, and sometimes more serious injuries. Symptoms that develop out of what could be smaller injuries from a car accident need to be addressed as soon as possible. When new symptoms emerge from a previously known ailment, you should see your doctor as soon as possible. Sometimes insurance companies won’t want to cover these injuries, but when you hire The Law Office of Fredson Statmore Bitterman to represent you as your personal injury attorneys, we work hard to make sure you get the full compensation you deserve for immediate injuries, as well as injuries that develop over time. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
3. Concussion
Lastly, when you are in a car accident, it is not uncommon for you to get concussed. When you are concussed, your brain hits the inside of your skull, which can cause symptoms that limit your ability to understand the situation or the extent of your injuries. Someone who has suffered from a concussion may experience an inability to focus, extreme forgetfulness, foggy thinking, dizziness, abnormal sleep patterns, and more. If after an accident you have any of these — or related symptoms — then make sure to get medical attention as soon as possible. A concussion can be an extremely serious or even fatal injury. When you get a concussion, you may not be aware of the extent of the other injuries you have received. It may take days before you fully realize the extent of some of your other injuries.
What if My Car Accident Injuries Appear Late?
If your symptoms don’t appear until days or even months after the accident, don’t worry, you usually have up to two years to bring forward a claim for damages after a crash. When you experience a delayed onset of injuries, it is enough for you just to be worrying about the personal health and mobility impacts it has on your life. You shouldn’t have to be dealing with the headache of legal paperwork and litigation that comes with a personal injury claim on top of that. That’s why when car accidents happen, you should save yourself the headache by ensuring you get the compensation you deserve. How do you do that? By hiring some of the most experienced personal injury lawyers in New Jersey. The Law Office of Fredson Statmore Bitterman will accurately evaluate damages in your personal injury claim, will help you avoid common mistakes which prevent recovery, and ultimately will get you greater total compensation. Our firm works on a contingency basis, which means that we don’t get paid until we secure you a recovery. Reach out to our offices today to get your personal injury claim failed ASAP!
