After a car accident, if your injuries don’t appear immediately you may mistakenly believe that you are unharmed. However, symptoms can present themselves in the hours, days, and weeks following the crash. Speak with a car accident lawyer to learn how you can protect your legal rights and options after a collision.
Can I Pursue Compensation if My Injuries Don’t Appear Immediately?
When you are injured in a car accident you can generally file an insurance claim or lawsuit against the negligent party in pursuit of compensation for your injuries and associated damages. However, when your injuries do not manifest immediately it can create problems.
If you felt fine after the car accident and did not get medically evaluated but later developed symptoms and injuries, you may have a hard time pursuing compensation. An insurance company or attorney could argue that your injuries are not that serious or else you would have gotten medically evaluated right away. They could also make a case that you sustained these injuries elsewhere or in another situation and are attempting to blame it on the accident.
It is still possible to collect compensation after an accident even if your injuries and symptoms were delayed, but it can make things more complex.
What to Do if Car Accident Injuries Don’t Appear Immediately?
As established, pursuing compensation and legal action after a car accident can be complicated if your injuries do not appear right away. Because of this fact and the potential arguments that an insurance company or lawyer could make against you, it is crucial that you take the following steps after an accident, regardless of how you feel.
- See a doctor: Go to the doctor right away after a car accident. Even if you do not feel hurt it is essential that you are examined by a medical professional. A doctor’s skill and experience, paired with their ability to order X-rays and MRIs, mean that they can identify hidden injuries that you may not notice yet. This is important to protect your health and legal rights, and prevent further complications.
- Do not settle right away: After the accident, the negligent driver’s insurance company may attempt to get you to waive your right to a claim or offer a settlement quickly to avoid further legal action. Avoid signing anything until you have been thoroughly evaluated and understand your condition. If you sign a settlement agreement and injuries appear later on you will have no legal claim to pursue additional compensation.
- Monitor how you feel: Document your symptoms in the hours, days, and weeks after the accident. Keep a detailed record of any pain or changes you notice and seek medical attention when needed.
- Collect evidence: If you wish to file a claim or lawsuit for your delayed injuries, you will need ample evidence proving that your ailments arose from the crash. Work with a skilled attorney to get a copy of the police report, eyewitness testimony, medical documentation, expert testimony, and more.
Car accident cases can be made more complex when symptoms and injuries are hidden or delayed. However, you can still pursue legal action and compensation. Work with a lawyer for additional assistance.
