Even if you don’t notice any injuries right away, they might be hidden and you might be in need of a lawyer after a car accident. The fact is that car accidents are extremely overwhelming, and if you’ve been in one, you know that knowing the exact extent of your injuries in the moment is nearly impossible.
Many people might assume that they aren’t injured just because they feel fine right after the injury, but not all injuries are immediately apparent. There are injuries that can take weeks to develop. Therefore, one of the biggest mistakes you can make is settling your insurance claim too soon.
Insurance companies often push for claims to be quickly settled before the full extent of injuries manifests. Today, we’re going to explain why some injuries don’t show up right away, what you risk by settling early, and what steps you should take instead so that you see the importance of why hiring a lawyer can maximize your accident settlement in your case.
Many victims of a car accident don’t feel any discomfort or pain right after a crash, but often start to develop symptoms days or even weeks later. This can be a result of both medical and biological factors that temporarily mask pain and injuries.
One of the main reasons why you might not feel an injury when it happens during a car accident is due to the release of endorphins and adrenaline caused by your fight-or-flight response. These are hormones that can increase energy and alertness, temporarily reducing inflammation, mass discomfort, and pain.
Therefore, you might not feel pain right away, only to start experiencing dizziness, stiffness, and pain once your adrenaline levels return back to their normal state. This adrenaline-induced state can last for hours or even days.
There is also what is known as delayed onset injuries, which develop slowly over time due to neurological effects, inflammation, and internal damage. For instance, if you have any soft tissue injuries, the stiffness and swelling commonly associated with ligament and muscle damage can take several days to develop.
Moreover, if you have some kind of traumatic brain injury or concussion, various symptoms such as headaches and memory loss may not appear for days or even weeks.
Furthermore, if you have any kind of internal bleeding, these are symptoms that you might not notice until more bruising emerges, and this can take hours, or in some cases, even days. Assuming you were in a severe accident, you might also develop psychological trauma such as depression, anxiety, or PTSD, but these often don’t manifest for weeks after the accident has occurred.
It is important to note that there are plenty of injuries that are not visible after a car accident, so take a look at some of the most common ones:
One of the most common injuries after a car accident is whiplash, particularly in rear end collisions. This happens when your neck is suddenly jerked forward and backward, therefore straining tendons, ligaments, and muscles.
If you have whiplash, you’ll notice headaches, neck pain, stiffness, upper back shoulder pain, and a limited range of motion. Soft tissue injuries, such as strains and sprains, can also take time to develop as inflammation worsens over the course of several days.
Next, you might experience a concussion during a car accident. This can lead to potential damage to brain cells and chemical changes.
You may even experience mild traumatic brain injuries if this is left untreated. If you experience dizziness, nausea, persistent headaches, memory loss, difficulty concentrating, or sensitivity to sound and light, then you may have a traumatic brain injury.
Next, many types of injuries are internal, and these are not visible, although they can become life-threatening if not treated. If you notice any abdominal swelling or pain, skin coloration or deep bruising, as well as shortness of breath, fainting, and dizziness, you may have some kind of internal damage.
Nerve damage, herniated discs, and other spinal injuries can all take days or even weeks to fully manifest. If you notice chronic back pain, reduced mobility, weakness, and numbness or tingling in your limbs, and you may have suffered some kind of back or spinal cord injury.
Finally, you may also experience emotional and psychological trauma, which obviously cannot be seen. If you’re experiencing nightmares, flashbacks, irritability, mood swings, and avoiding driving at all costs, you have likely suffered a psychological injury.
Many accident victims settle their claims without realizing how much lost income and future medical expenses could cost them.
Insurance companies often push for quick settlements so they can pay you as little as possible before you know the full extent of your injuries. If you accept an early settlement, you waive your right to future compensation and you can’t reopen your claim.
Furthermore, your medical costs will likely be higher than expected as some injuries require multiple surgeries, long-term physical therapy, or ongoing pain management care and chiropractic care. If you settle for only initial medical costs, you won’t get compensation for long-term expenses. If you have hidden injuries that affect your ability to work, settling too soon will not account for lost future wages.
Instead of settling right away, there are a few important steps you’ll want to take.
Serious long-term health issues can arise due to hidden injuries suffered during a car accident. If you settle too soon, you might end up not receiving nearly as much financial compensation as you’re entitled to. Keep yourself protected by seeking medical attention right away, monitoring your symptoms, and consulting with a lawyer before you settle a claim with your insurer.
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