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Delayed crash injuries can impact a victim’s rights

On Behalf of | Oct 30, 2024 | Car Accidents

Motor vehicle collisions are one of the top causes of serious injuries in the United States. Many people hurt in car crashes know instantly that they require medical attention and may need to pursue financial compensation.

Others may not realize initially that they have medical issues that require treatment. There are a number of different health issues that may present delayed symptoms after a car wreck. These conditions make it important to see a doctor even if an injury isn’t immediately apparent. Delays in symptom development and diagnosis that occur in such cases can complicate the rights of an injured party after a crash.

What conditions may present delayed symptoms?

There are numerous medical issues that may not be obvious at first after a collision. Conditions involving internal bleeding are easy for people to ignore initially. People may experience delayed onset joint pain in their elbows, knees, ankles or shoulders. They could have neck, back or abdominal pain. They might even develop severe headaches days after a crash.

Bleeding in the torso or a traumatic brain injury may not generate symptoms immediately after a crash. People could develop delayed-onset vision issues or problems with their hearing. It can take several days for the condition to reach a point where people notice something seriously wrong with themselves. They usually need to see a doctor as soon as possible after a crash for diagnosis and treatment.

People can also have soft tissue injuries, like whiplash, that manifest the day after a crash. Even traumatic injuries like broken bones and spinal cord injuries can sometimes be stable at first. An incomplete final cord injury might cause tingling, pain or motor function challenges without completely eliminating someone’s sensation and function. A stable fracture may not prevent someone from using the injured body part until the fracture worsens.

How do delayed-onset injuries affect compensation?

Anytime there is a significant delay in diagnosis, there can be questions about whether the car crash was actually the cause of the injury. The expected party may also be at risk of the statute of limitations expiring. In most cases, those hurt in car crashes only have one year from the date of the incident to initiate litigation and pursuit of compensation. That being said, it is sometimes possible to open a new claim when a condition from a crash more than a year ago produces new or worsening symptoms.

Having support when navigating a complex car crash injury claim involving delayed symptoms can improve a plaintiff’s chances of securing the compensation they need and deserve.

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