Immediately after a car accident, you might not notice the extent of your injuries. Certain injuries do not appear until a few days or weeks later.
If you sustain injuries in a motor vehicle accident, seek medical attention right away for the apparent injuries and monitor yourself for any delayed injuries.
Common delayed injuries
Common symptoms after a vehicular accident include neck, back and shoulder pain. Serious injuries in these body parts can have lasting, harmful effects so make sure you monitor the severity of any discomfort in the areas.
Signs that you may have head injury such as a concussion include suffering from migraines or headaches. Not getting appropriate treatment immediately can lead to lasting health issues.
You could notice joint pain days or weeks after an accident. If you notice discomfort or pain in your hips, knees, ankles, elbows or shoulders make sure to see a doctor for an evaluation right away.
If you experience abdominal pain, this is a serious indicator of internal organ damage or bleeding. Failure to treat these types of symptoms may result in worsening injuries or death.
Importance of uninterrupted treatment
You do not want to give the other driver’s insurance company a chance to deny or devalue your case. Waiting too long after the accident to seek attention for your injuries or prematurely stopping your treatment against the recommendation of your doctor creates opportunities for insurance companies to work against you. The adjuster overseeing your claim uses these factors to determine the value of the settlement offer.
Pushing off treatment for these injuries allows the insurer to demonstrate that your pain does not directly relate to the accident. Thus, make sure to get medical help as soon as you notice immediate or delayed symptoms.