Not all injuries are immediately apparent after an accident. You may think you were not injured or only suffered minor injuries after an accident, only to later experience worse symptoms in the days or weeks following the accident. Here is why you may experience delayed symptoms after an accident and how an auto accident attorney in San Antonio can help.
Why You Might Experience Delayed Symptoms After a Wreck
At the time of an accident, you could experience a surge of adrenaline, which can mask the pain and other symptoms. This can make you believe you weren’t injured at all. Or, you could suffer from shock, which can numb the pain and make you unaware of your injury symptoms.
Another possibility is that you may experience some pain, soreness, or other symptoms you believe are “normal” and you brush them off because you don’t think they’re a big deal, or you don’t want to deal with an injury. You hope they disappear, but they may actually worsen over time.
Common Delayed Symptoms
Delayed symptoms after an accident can take many forms, but some of the most common are:
- Pain, especially in the neck or back
- Soreness
- Stiffness
- Abdominal swelling
- Ongoing headaches
- Tingling or loss of sensation in your limbs
- Blurred vision
These symptoms can indicate serious injuries, such as:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Concussions
- Whiplash
- Neck injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Torn ligaments or tendons
- Strains or sprains
What to Do If You Experience Delayed Symptoms
If you are experiencing delayed symptoms after an accident, you must seek medical attention immediately. Your diagnosis could already be delayed, so you don’t want to wait any longer. Further delays could cause your injuries to worsen.
They could result in the need for more invasive or expensive medical treatments. They could also cause issues with your San Antonio personal injury claim.
Insurance companies try to use any delay in treatment against claimants. They say that they must not care about their health if they didn’t seek treatment, or that they were responsible for the worsening of their injuries. These arguments are just ways insurance companies try to get out of paying for the compensation you are due, but they are sometimes persuasive.
You should keep all of your medical records and bills. Keep all of your doctor’s notes, diagnostic test results, records of prescription medications, and proof showing that you have followed your doctor’s orders. Your personal injury lawyer may also ask you to keep a pain journal in which you record your daily symptoms, pain, and response to treatment. Be prepared to testify and have loved ones testify to explain how the injury has affected your life.
Contact Our Experienced Personal Injury Attorneys for a Free Case Review
If you are experiencing new or worsening symptoms after an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, our San Antonio semi truck accident lawyers can help connect you with qualified doctors and help document your injuries. Call George Salinas Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation.