Watch for These Delayed Symptoms Following an Accident

Accidents range in severity from simple fender benders to devastating collisions. Injuries likewise can involve anything from minor scrapes and bruises to fatalities. In the aftermath of an accident, assessing the severity of an injury is not always a straightforward matter. Some injuries may worsen rather than improve over time. Physical or psychological effects may not even present right away.

When someone has been involved in a collision, the trauma is already severe; but in some cases, the full extent of its impact on the victim unfolds over a period of time. The following are some examples of delayed symptoms stemming from an accident to watch for.

• Headaches/Dizzy Spells – Head injuries often cause residual effects to the victim, affecting equilibrium or the ability to focus. Following an accident, it is not uncommon for a victim to experience dizzy spells days or weeks later. This is often indicative of a concussion.
• Psychological Trauma – Commonly termed Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), another after-effect of an auto trauma is the psychological impact on a victim. They may be so affected by the experience that they can no longer engage in their normal activities, including driving, or riding in, an automobile.
• Blurred Vision/Ringing in the Ears – Injury to the head may also impact the victim’s vision or hearing following an accident. Trauma to the skull frequently affects cognitive functions such as speech and hearing. Again, this can signal the victim has suffered a concussion.
• Back Pain – The impact of a car collision is severe enough to cause a spinal injury, which may not be immediately apparent. A ruptured disc or fracture could cause pain well after the accident occurred.
• Soft Tissue Damage – Nerve damage stemming from a car accident can cause symptoms like nausea, muscle spasms or numbness.

What You Should Do

Immediately after an accident in which you or someone you love is injured, your priority of course is proper emergency treatment and medical care. Report the accident to your insurance provider. You should also contact a personal injury lawyer who can assist you in receiving all the compensation that is due you.

Since many effects do not appear for some time after an accident, an experienced PI attorney will advise you to wait before filing a claim. Once an insurance claim or lawsuit is filed, any subsequent injuries would be your responsibility to pay. You should make sure you know the full extent of the accident’s impact so that you receive the proper compensation.

Delayed symptoms may cause additional losses to you beyond medical care. They may cause loss of work, loss of enjoyment of life, etc. Get the expert help you need in fighting for your rights.

Edwards & Patterson Law are a seasoned team of Personal Injury Lawyers who serve the McAlester and Tulsa, OK areas, as well as Arkansas. We recognize the impacts to accident victims often last well beyond the accident itself. We are dedicated to fighting for you, and winning the compensation that you deserve.