It is important to seek medical attention after a car accident in order to recover from injuries and protect your legal rights.

It is critical to seek medical attention after a car accident, even if you do not believe you have any serious injuries. While many car accident injuries are obvious, such as broken bones, some car accident injuries may not exhibit symptoms right away. Therefore, a medical professional should always be consulted after a car accident, even by those who were able to walk away from the scene. If you have recently been injured in a car accident, you have legal rights. Texas personal injury lawyer Jason English can help you understand your legal options in a free consultation - call Jason English Law today at (512) 454-7548.

Car Accident Injuries with Delayed Symptoms

Certain types of car accident injuries may occasionally have delayed symptoms that do not surface until hours, days, or sometimes even weeks after the crash. In some cases, injuries that do not normally have delayed symptoms may not be noticed initially due to the traumatic nature of a car accident. Sometimes this trauma can cause rising adrenaline levels or shock, both of which can temporarily mask the pain of a serious injury.

Some common symptoms of delayed car accident injuries include:

• Headaches
• Pain in the neck, back, or abdomen
• Numbness and tingling sensations
• Changes in behavior or personality
• Fatigue
• Changes in sleep patterns, including difficulty sleeping or excessive sleeping

These common delayed symptoms could be indicators of a variety of serious medical conditions.

Whiplash

Whiplash is one of the most commonly suffered injuries in car accidents. This injury happens when the head and neck jerk back and forth during impact. This unnatural movement can cause serious damage to soft tissues, nerves, discs, and vertebrae. According to MedlinePlus, whiplash symptoms may only surface hours or even weeks after the accident. 

The most common whiplash symptoms include:

• Neck pain
• Stiffness
• Trouble moving the neck naturally
• Pain that extends into the shoulders and upper back
• Headaches
• Tingling and numbness

Concussions

Concussions result from blows to the head, which are very common in car accidents. The common symptoms of concussions often do not surface immediately following the crash, so it is critical to see a doctor if you have suffered a blow to the head in a collision.

The most common symptoms of a concussion include:

• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Fatigue
• Loss of consciousness
• Memory issues
• Feelings of confusion
• Mental fog
• Difficulties with concentration and focus
• Issues with coordination and balance
• Changes in sleep patterns
• Sensitivity to light and sound

Soft Tissue Injuries

Stretching, tearing, and other injuries to the soft tissue can result in sprains, strains, and contusions. The common symptoms of soft tissue injuries include:

• Pain
• Swelling
• Tenderness
• Decreased range of motion
• Muscle spasms

Back Injuries

Some serious back injuries may not be immediately apparent, including slipped or herniated discs and spinal injuries. The strong impact of a car crash often results in back pain, which can become more severe in the days or weeks following the crash. While some back pain may fade without serious complications, the pain is often a symptom of a more severe condition.

Psychological Injuries

A car accident is a traumatic experience. According to the journal Frontiers in Psychiatry, this trauma may sometimes lead to psychological injuries like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety. These injuries are just as serious as physical ones, so you should seek medical attention after a car accident if you have been struggling mentally following the crash.

Psychological injuries are also legally considered the same as physical injuries, meaning that you may seek financial compensation for them through insurance claims or personal injury lawsuits. You can learn more about damages for emotional distress by speaking with Texas car accident lawyer Jason Lewis.

Delayed Treatment Can Cause Problems with Recovery

Allowing an injury to go unexamined and untreated can cause it to become worse, potentially causing complications during the recovery period. A prompt medical exam may uncover injuries with delayed symptoms, allowing treatment to begin immediately. While the nature of car accident injuries will vary depending on numerous factors, quick treatment can often make the recovery period shorter and reduce the risk of preventable complications.

Some people may delay medical treatment due to financial concerns, but this approach can result in the need for more medical treatment and increased expenses. Remember that the cost of medical treatment is often covered in car insurance claims and by compensation awarded in personal injury claims.

Prompt Treatment is Important for Insurance Claims

Whether filing an insurance claim or suing another driver for negligence, documentation of car accident injuries is critical. Remember that insurance companies are powerful businesses that prioritize their profits, which means they have an incentive to deny claims or limit payouts. Without sufficient documentation, the insurance provider may argue that the injuries are not as severe as claimed and offer a lower settlement.

If a doctor has given their professional opinion of the injuries suffered and their severity and provided a treatment strategy, this documentation can be used when requesting financial compensation for current and future medical expenses related to the injury.

Medical Documentation Is Critical for Personal Injury Lawsuits

In car accidents caused by negligence, individuals who were injured due to the negligence of the at-fault driver may have grounds for a personal injury lawsuit against that driver. This is often necessary to cover damages related to severe injuries, such as medical expenses, lost wages, emotional distress, and pain and suffering. In order to successfully obtain a settlement or win in the courtroom, all injuries must be thoroughly documented, and the evidence must be presented to the court or the negligent driver's insurance company in settlement negotiations.

Learn More About Your Legal Rights – Contact an Experienced Austin, Texas Car Accident Lawyer

You should always seek medical attention after a car accident, as this is the best way to limit the severity of your injuries and recover as smoothly as possible. In addition, the documentation of this medical treatment can be used to obtain the financial compensation you need and deserve to cover the costs of your recovery and related injuries. If you have recently been injured in a car accident and are seeking financial compensation, Texas car accident lawyer Jason English can analyze your case and help you understand your options: call Jason English Law today at (512) 454-7548 for a free case evaluation.