Common Delayed Injury Symptoms

Accidents can happen to anyone at any time and in any place. Although some accidents result in serious or even fatal injuries, most people walk away from a car accident with only minor injuries. Still, even if you feel unharmed in the immediate aftermath of a crash, your body can have surprising reactions to trauma that delays your response to an injury. Adrenaline can also mask symptoms of injuries from a car accident in the short term.

If you’ve been hurt, be sure your claim is being handled by an experienced Doylestown accident lawyer at Drake, Hileman & Davis. We have the experience and understanding of delayed symptoms that will allow you to recover for all of your injuries, not just the immediate ones.

Injuries That Are Commonly Delayed After an Accident

Delayed symptoms are somewhat unpredictable, both as to type and as to the length of the delay. Some of the most common delayed injury symptoms include:

• Headaches. After a car accident, headaches can take several days to be noticed and will often not be immediately associated with the accident. You may think nothing of it after a few days and may simply take some aspirin as you normally would and move on with your day. However, headaches can signal a potentially serious problem, like a blood clot on the brain or a serious concussion. It’s best not to ignore them, and if you’re experiencing headaches days or even weeks after an accident, you should see a doctor to be sure you are not suffering from a more serious injury.
• Neck and Shoulder Pain. Delayed pain in the neck and shoulders could be a sign of whiplash, which is the most common delayed injury associated with car accidents. Whiplash commonly occurs in rear-end collisions and can be very serious, requiring x-rays, CT scans, or MRIs to be properly diagnosed. 
• Abdominal Pain. Abdominal pain after an accident can go unnoticed for several days, and in some cases, it can be life-threatening if it goes untreated. Such pain can be a sign of internal bleeding, and the victim may experience headaches, deep bruising, purplish skin, dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting.
• Back Pain. Back pain is another delayed side effect and can include sprains, strains, and herniated discs. Back pain can be a sign that there is damage to the ligaments, muscles, or vertebrae. You may also experience sciatica or other symptoms like tingling or numbness if the spinal cord is damaged and is pressing on the nerves. 
• Numbness and Tingling. Numbness and tingling in the arms and hands can indicate damage to the neck or spinal column and will often not present symptoms until well after the accident. Getting an x-ray, ultrasound, or MRI after an accident can help identify any injuries that need treatment.

Let a Doylestown Accident Lawyer Help You Identify and Receive Compensation for All Delayed-Symptom Injuries

Delayed symptoms are problematic because if you sign off on a settlement before all of your injuries have been properly diagnosed, you’ll be stuck with undeserved medical bills. If you have been in an accident that resulted in injury,  serious injury, or even death, let a Doylestown accident lawyer at Drake, Hileman & Davis help. They will help be sure you’re compensated for all of your injuries.

Contact us for further information and to schedule your free consultation.