Following your car accident, you were able to exchange information at the scene, you spoke with police, and everything went seemingly smoothly. However, many weeks later, you’re attempting to get work finished and you begin experiencing pain. This is the fear that many people have after an accident: when they realize that their injuries might have been worse than they expected and that they are having a delayed onset of symptoms. The unfortunate truth is that, after an accident, certain injuries might take hours, days, or even weeks to appear. This only makes it more difficult for victims to receive the necessary compensation they deserve to move forward.
Common Injuries with Delayed Onset of Symptoms
After an accident, you might feel an adrenaline rush that masks the symptoms of injuries that are lying underneath. There are several types of injuries that commonly mask themselves and might not show up right away.
Whiplash: Whiplash is one of the most common types of injuries that people will experience after they have been involved in an accident. These injuries most often occur if you have been injured in a rear-end collision and are thrown forward and then back again in a fast manner. Your nerves and joints can become badly injured if this type of accident takes place. Whiplash might not seem like a major injury, but it can quickly become a problem for many.
Soft Tissue Injuries: Soft tissue injuries include any type of injury to the muscles, tendons, or ligaments in a person’s body. Some of these injuries can lead to very painful results, such as inflammation, discoloration of the area, stiffness, and problems bearing weight on that area.
Concussion: Concussions are a traumatic brain injury that can happen with force in the event of a car accident. When the brain is bounced back and forth within the skull, the brain becomes concussed by the impact. Many people will experience headaches, memory loss, slurred speech, irritation, mood swings, disorientation, vomiting, and a sensitivity to light and sounds.
Trauma: If you have been involved in an accident, there is a chance that you might experience symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or emotional distress due to the trauma of the accident. This can greatly reduce your quality of life and the relationships you have with others. You might experience flashbacks of the event, have trouble sleeping, or feel anxiety on a higher level than most. Unfortunately, many people in the court system try to downplay PTSD symptoms and might claim that you are making up your symptoms. If you feel any of these ways, it is imperative to speak with a healthcare professional as soon as possible.
Speaking with an Attorney
If you have received injuries in a West Virginia car accident, you might be interested in various forms of compensation that will help you get back on your feet, such as remuneration for lost wages, medical bills, emotional distress, and more. Even if you have suffered a delayed onset of symptoms, it is not too late to speak up about the pain and emotions that you are feeling due to your accident so that you can get working toward damages. At Katz, Kantor, Stonestreet & Buckner, our experienced attorneys will help you receive the help you deserve and lend you a listening ear following your car accident. Please contact us to find out how we can assist you at (304) 713-2014.