What if a Car Accident Injury Is Not Immediately Apparent?

 Posted on December 13, 2021 in Car Accidents

The idea of not realizing immediately that you have been injured may seem counterintuitive. Many people believe that car accident injuries are always immediately apparent, and in many cases they are. Injuries like lacerations or puncture wounds are generally obvious. Other types of injuries, like whiplash-induced spinal cord injuries, may take longer to present themselves.

If you were in a serious car accident, it is probably a good idea to get in contact with an attorney even if you do not think you are seriously injured. Reaching out to a lawyer promptly after a car crash is an important way to make sure evidence you may need later is preserved just in case you end up going to court.

How Could I Not Notice an Injury Right Away?

Motor vehicle accidents can be intensely frightening experiences. When you get into a major accident, you experience a serious adrenaline rush. Adrenaline can act as a natural pain reliever. Without pain to signal to you that something is wrong, an injury that does not prevent you from getting up and walking away may go unnoticed until the adrenaline rush has worn off, which could take hours. By then, you may have already gone home.

Injuries related to whiplash can also take time to show themselves. Neck and spine injuries may not be noticed until they become severely sore several days after the accident. Some types of traumatic brain injuries may also go unnoticed in the short term. The telltale signs of a concussion may not always be apparent for certain types of brain injury, such as bleeds. This is one of the reasons it can be wise to get checked out by a doctor even if you feel relatively normal right after the crash.

What Should I Do After a Wreck if I Do Not Feel Injured?

Take more or less the same steps you would if you had definitely been injured. File a police report and contact an attorney. Try to avoid stating that you are uninjured at the accident scene, as denying injuries could create a problem later if it turns out that you have a delayed injury. The best move is to preserve the evidence you would later need to file a claim if it turns out you have an injury you did not know about right away.

Contact a Lake County Car Accident Attorney

If you were involved in a serious crash, it may be wise to contact Salvi & Maher, L.L.C. even if you are not yet sure about the extent of your possible injuries. Our experienced Waukegan car accident lawyers will begin preserving the evidence you would need to pursue compensation right away. Call 847-662-3303 for a free consultation.

Source:

https://integrityspineortho.com/can-a-car-accident-cause-delayed-injuries/