Car accidents happen fast. One minute you are on your way to work or doing an errand, and the next minute, you are shaken up and your car is in a bad condition. Most of the people involved in crashes leave the scene feeling okay, just to realize that there is something wrong several days later. Understanding hidden injuries can protect your health and your legal rights.
Why do certain injuries manifest days after a car accident?
Your body responds to trauma in surprising ways. When a collision occurs, adrenaline rushes through your system. This is a normal stress mechanism that is used to temporarily suppress pain and discomfort. At the scene of the accident, you may be awake and alert, totally oblivious to the fact that you are hurt.
There are also other injuries that occur progressively. Soft tissue damage, internal bruising, and even some brain injuries do not always present themselves promptly. Before the symptoms show up, you might have already informed the insurance company that you are okay. This causes difficulty with your recovery and claim.
Understanding Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue injuries involve muscles, ligaments, and tendons in all parts of your body. They usually result in chronic pain conditions that last months or years.
Common soft tissue injuries include:
- Whiplash: This occurs when you have your head flicking back and forth as a result of getting hit, and this pulls the neck muscles and ligaments. Symptoms such as headaches, stiffness in the neck, and pains in the shoulders tend to occur 24 to 48 hours after.
- Back sprains and strains: You unnaturally twist your spine due to the force of collision. You might notice lower back pain, muscle spasms, or difficulty bending several days after the crash.
- Shoulder injuries: Seatbelts prevent death but may cause strain on shoulder muscles and tendons. The damage to the rotator cuff might not manifest itself until you try to lift objects or reach overhead.
- Knee contusions: Cartilage and bruising are the result of dashboard hits. The buildup of inflammation may result in swelling and pain.
Delayed Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore
Concussions and traumatic brain injuries often have delayed symptoms. You may feel dizzy, confused, have impaired memory, or vision after the accident.
The damage to organs, internal bleeding, and abdominal trauma can initially only result in vague discomfort. Nevertheless, signs like constant stomach-ache, light-headedness, or abnormal fatigue may indicate severe internal issues.
Tingling, numbness, or weakness in the nerves may not manifest right away. These are some of the symptoms that can show possible brain damage that needs immediate medical attention.
Why are timely medical exams important for your health?
Visiting a doctor soon after an accident keeps you safe in a number of ways. Fractures, soft tissue damage, and internal injuries, which are not visible on the outside, are demonstrated with diagnostic tests, such as X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans.
Even a small sprain may turn into chronic pain. A mild concussion would progress to persistent brain issues. Hiring a personal injury lawyer in Orlando means you can receive treatment now and settle your payment later.
Medical Records Strengthen Your Legal Claim
The medical documentation, in addition to safeguarding your health, is the basis of your personal injury claim. By visiting a doctor right after your accident, you establish a definite relationship between the accident and your injury.
On the other hand, lapses in medical attention are warning signs. When you wait weeks before you can see a doctor, insurers will point to some other source of your injuries. They will argue that your suffering was caused by a pre-existing process or some other accident.
Challenges with the Insurance Company
Any excuse will be used by insurance adjusters to doubt the validity of your claim. They can claim that your injuries are not serious since you did not go to the hospital immediately. They can even allege that your injuries have nothing to do with the accident.
An injury lawyer in Orlando investigates the accident to identify the party that is legally responsible. At Kagan Law, we deal with insurance companies that attempt to reduce the value of your claim. And our accident lawyer in Orlando will even go to trial to get you the compensation you rightfully deserve.
What Should Your Medical Exam Include?
Your doctor will take a detailed history of the accident and your symptoms. They will carry out a physical assessment that will include the presence of pain, swelling, restricted movement range, and other indicators of injury.
Diagnostic imaging often follows. X-rays are used to identify bone injuries and fractures. MRIs show soft tissue injuries, herniated discs, and tears of the ligaments. The CT scan detects internal bleeding and injuries. These examinations give concrete evidence of your injuries, which cannot be easily denied by insurance companies.
Your physician will also schedule records, prescribe treatments, drugs, and subsequent visits. Our car accident attorney in Orlando ensures you receive the medical treatment you deserve.
Protect Your Legal Rights After a Crash
The Florida personal injury laws entitle you to claim damages against careless drivers. In addition to consulting a doctor, you would be advised to hire personal injury attorneys in Orlando immediately.
At Kagan Law, we provide personalized attention and compassionate legal service. We have collected six and seven-figure settlements on behalf of clients who have been injured in car accidents.