610-565-3701

What if I am Experiencing Delayed Pain From a Car Accident?

October 25, 2022
Chester County Car Accident Lawyers at Eckell Sparks Help Clients Who Are Suffering From Delayed Accident Injuries.

Although a car accident can happen in mere seconds, the devastation it can leave behind can last for years. Even though many car accident injuries are immediately apparent, like a broken bone or a laceration, there are those that can take hours or even days to show up. When someone suffers a delayed injury, the question of how to receive compensation becomes a complicated one.

A delayed injury is felt well after the initial accident. These types of injuries are generally masked by the shock or adrenaline felt following a crash, sometimes taking up to several days to become apparent. Because of delayed pain, it is important to receive medical attention immediately following any type of car accident, even a seemingly minor fender-bender. Waiting too long to see a doctor about an injury will make it difficult to pursue legal action because opposing counsel or insurance companies may question whether your injury stemmed from the accident.

What Injuries Have Delayed Pain?

The most common delayed injuries you could suffer from in a car accident include:

  • Back injuries: The human body is not designed to endure such impact one would feel from a car accident. The back is especially susceptible to injury from a crash. Whiplash, ruptured discs, spinal cord injuries, and soft tissue injuries are all consistent with back pain and can often become debilitating. When the body goes through an accident, the force is so jarring that it could cause vertebrae to slowly misalign, resulting in delayed pain felt after the accident.
  • Whiplash: Whiplash sometimes begins as discomfort or stiffness in the neck. However, whiplash can also cause numbness or tingling sensations. If left untreated, whiplash can become a chronic problem lasting for a long time.
  • Neck injuries: Neck injuries are common. It is important to seek a doctor’s help following a car accident.
  • Concussions: A concussion is another common delayed injury, as most people do not realize they have suffered a concussion until it is too late. A concussion can happen even if there is no impact to the head. Symptoms of a concussion include behavioral changes, headaches, visual or hearing impairments, depression, nausea, and vomiting. The sooner a concussion is diagnosed, the better the outcome, as a concussion can lead to more severe injuries if left untreated.
  • Internal bleeding: Discomfort following a car accident is common, especially in the abdominal area. This could be a sign of internal bleeding. Internal injuries sometimes require surgery and can be deadly if not treated in a timely manner.
  • Mental injuries: Not only are delayed injuries physical, but they can be mental too. Mental disorders, such as PTSD, are common following a car accident, as any accident can be emotionally distressing. Some PTSD symptoms include depression, flashbacks or nightmares, and mood swings.

One of the first steps to take following a car accident is to seek help from a medical professional immediately, considering all the different delayed injuries the body can go through. Even if you feel like you are not injured, a doctor can perform or order different tests that can determine whether an injury occurred or not.

Chester County Car Accident Lawyers at Eckell Sparks Help Clients Who Are Suffering From Delayed Accident Injuries

If you have been injured in an accident, you can speak with one of our skilled Chester County car accident lawyers at Eckell, Sparks, Levy, Auerbach, Monte, Sloane, Matthews & Auslander, P.C. for legal assistance. Call us at 610-565-3701 or fill out our online form for an initial consultation. With offices located in Media and West Chester, Pennsylvania, we proudly serve clients in Delaware County, Chester County, and Montgomery County.