After a car accident, a victim may not experience immediate symptoms of a physical injury. However, delayed injuries are still problematic. Accident victims with delayed injuries miss work, rack up costly medical bills, and have ongoing pain and discomfort. With the counsel of an experienced car accident lawyer, an injured party can successfully recover compensation. Below are the most common delayed car accident injuries.
Internal Organ Damage
Damage to internal organs can be life-threatening. If it is left untreated, trauma to the liver, kidneys, lungs, and other organs can lead to sepsis, coma, and even death. Signs of possible internal organ damage include:
- Fever
- Dark purple bruising
- Dizziness
- Fainting
- Constipation
- Stomach pain
- Abdominal swelling and pain
While these symptoms do not always mean internal bleeding, someone who was in a car accident should always take precautions and seek medical attention.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue injuries include damage to the tendons, ligaments, and muscles. Common soft tissue injuries include:
- Bruises: As blood vessels break, blood pools under the surface of the skin.
- Sprains: This is damage to the thin bands of tissue that connects bones.
- Strains: When the tissue that connects muscle to bone becomes damaged.
- Whiplash: Whiplash occurs when the neck is forcefully and suddenly jolted back and forth. Whiplash symptoms include neck pain and stiffness, headaches, and shoulder pain.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
A violent blow or jolt to the head can cause a traumatic brain injury (TBI), and symptoms of a TBI may not be felt for hours or days after a motor vehicle collision. TBIs are also caused when objects penetrate the brain tissue. If a driver or passenger’s head makes impact with the interior of the car, the skull can shatter, sending pieces of bone into the soft brain tissue.
Effects of a TBI include:
- Cognitive Symptoms: Trouble concentrating, memory problems, confusion, and even agitation and combativeness.
- Physical Symptoms: Headaches, nausea, vomiting, seizures, loss of consciousness.
- Emotional Symptoms: Mood swings, anxiety, depression, and anger.
- Sensory Symptoms: Ringing in the ears, impaired vision, difficulty smelling, and balance issues.
How to Protect the Right to Compensation After a Car Accident
An accident victim who develops signs of an injury several days or weeks later may wonder if it too late to sue for damages. Compensation for delayed injuries is possible if the claim is managed effectively. To protect the right to compensation for a delayed injury, an accident victim should take the following steps:
- Document the accident scene.
- See a doctor.
- Do not accept a quick settlement.
- Contact a lawyer.
Certain physical and emotional injuries are not always immediately apparent after a car accident, but that does not make delayed injuries less problematic. They require costly medical care, cause victims to miss work, and impact a person’s overall enjoyment of life.
Washington, D.C. Car Accident Lawyers at the Law Offices of Duane O. King Pursue Compensation for Delayed Car Accident Injuries
Delayed injuries may be compensable. If you are experiencing delayed physical pain after a collision, contact a Washington, D.C. car accident lawyer at the Law Offices of Duane O. King. Contact us online or call us at 202-331-1963 for a free consultation. We are located in Washington, D.C., and we serve clients throughout Prince George’s County, including Laurel, Beltsville, Adelphi, College Park, Greenbelt, Mitchellville, Woodmore, Greater Upper Marlboro, Springdale, Largo, Bowie, Capitol Heights, District Heights, Forestville, Suitland, Seat Pleasant, Clinton, Oxon Hill, Temple Hills, and Fort Washington.
Google Screened