Injuries suffered in a car accident can range from minor scrapes and bruises to severe, life-threatening emergencies. While you may not always feel an accident warrants medical attention, you should always seek an assessment by a medical professional following any type of collision. Some injuries may not readily display symptoms until days, weeks, or a year after an accident, so you may not accrue accident-related medical expenses until much later. Some victims of car accidents make a point to seek legal counsel as soon as possible to explore any rights they may have to compensation from liable parties.
Even if your only resulting complaint from a car accident involves a mere headache, worsening or persistent headaches after collisions may signal a subdural or intracranial hematoma, which can prove deadly. For these reasons, you should seek immediate medical attention following any accident.
Typically, a successful personal injury lawsuit requires you to prove that you suffered financial losses or noneconomic losses from the injuries you received on behalf of the negligent party. Your injuries must prove substantial enough to warrant losses. Medical bills and lost wages classify as losses, for example.
Examples of Car Accident Injuries With Delayed Symptoms
Several injuries resulting from car accidents may have delayed symptoms, so keeping an eye out for them in the days and weeks following an accident may help. The following lists a few examples of car accident injuries with the potential for delayed symptoms:
Whiplash
According to Cleveland Clinic, whiplash results from a forceful strain on the neck and usually occurs within days of an accident. It may lead to chronic neck pain, as well.
Concussions
While people heal from concussions in a few days, some mistake a more serious head injury for a simple concussion. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), if you experience concussion symptoms, such as a headache or vomiting, for weeks or months, you may suffer from post-concussive syndrome.
Internal Bleeding
Another injury following car accidents that may display delayed signs includes internal bleeding. Seat belts protect us from the impact of a collision, but during the impact, research from the International Journal of Surgery Case found that they may cause intra-abdominal bleeding that the accident victim may not immediately detect.
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Property Damage
You may also have the option to sue for property damage, but you may first have to file a claim with your own insurance or the defendant’s insurance, depending on your state. These types of claims, though, do not typically yield a large financial reward.
Tying Losses to Injuries
Whether you file a claim with your insurance company or the other driver’s insurance company, you will need to establish four pieces of evidence:
- The other driver owed you a duty of care.
- The other driver breached that duty of care through some action or lack of action.
- The breach caused your injuries.
- The injuries caused you losses, such as wages or medical bills.
If you file a lawsuit with civil court, you will also need to prove these four elements. Along with physical injuries, you may also sustain pain and suffering or psychological trauma from the accident. Depending on the severity of your case, this emotional suffering may qualify as a noneconomic loss for which you may also receive compensation from a responsible party. A lawyer may help you assign a monetary value to such noneconomic losses to help your case for fair compensation.
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Let a Personal Injury Lawyer From Ben Crump Law, PLLC, Handle Your Case
If you recently suffered a car accident and suffered injuries, do not miss your opportunity to hold the responsible parties accountable and receive fair compensation for your losses. Even if you do not know the extent of your injuries at this time, consulting with our car accident lawyers may help you assess your current and potential losses and determine your legal rights.
We work on a contingency-fee-basis, so we only collect payment if we secure a settlement or court-awarded recovery on your behalf. Statutes of limitations may apply in your state, so call Ben Crump Law, PLLC, at (844) 730-0233 as soon as possible.
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