Founding Attorney
Not every accident injury will show up right away. After you’ve been in an accident, you may walk away feeling okay, only to develop constant pain, headaches, numbness, or stiffness days or even weeks later. Delayed pain following a car wreck, slip and fall, or other accident is not unusual and can signal a more serious injury. Here’s what to do if you find yourself in pain in the days or weeks after an accident.
Understanding Delayed Pain After an Accident
After an accident, you usually feel a flood of adrenaline and endorphins. These chemicals produced by your body can temporarily mask the pain, making it hard to tell if you’re truly uninjured. Once your body returns to normal, the pain can set in. Some common injuries with delayed symptoms include:
- Whiplash
- Soft Tissue Damage
- Concussions or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
- Herniated Disks
- Spinal Injury
- Internal Bleeding
- Organ Damage
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Because these kinds of injuries don’t always show up on the surface, they get minimized by accident victims until the pain starts interfering with daily life.
Steps to Take When Experiencing Delayed Pain
Don’t put off getting treatment longer than you already have. A doctor’s visit is crucial to diagnose your injuries and establish a record linking the injuries back to the original incident. Insurance companies routinely use a gap in treatment to deny or devalue a claim. Tell your doctor about new symptoms, even minor ones like dizziness or numbness.
You should also record when the pain began, where you feel the pain, how frequently it occurs, and how it interferes with your ability to work or perform daily activities. Make copies of all prescriptions, medical records, and physical therapy referrals. These records will be vital if you choose to file a personal injury claim.
You should be aware of what you say inside and outside of the case. Don’t discuss your injuries with the other driver’s insurance provider before you have spoken with a personal injury attorney. You should also be careful what you post on social media. Your comments and photos can be used to undermine your claim.
Finally, you should contact a personal injury lawyer. You may be entitled to claim compensation for injuries, even delayed symptoms. But the procedure may be legally taxing. An experienced lawyer will know how to prove that your injuries are legitimate, stemmed from the accident, and deserving of fair compensation.
Who Is at Fault for Delayed Injuries?
If the accident was someone else’s fault, you can hold them responsible for the harm you’ve suffered as a result, even if the full extent of that harm didn’t become apparent until well after the fact. However, you should also be aware that delayed injuries can complicate your claim. The at-fault party’s insurance provider will attempt to say your pain stemmed from another incident or that you worsened your injuries by not seeking prompt attention. That is why it makes a difference to have the right legal representative.
How Michael LoGiudice, LLP Can Assist
With years of experience handling complex personal injury claims throughout New York, Michael LoGiudice, LLP is experienced in handling delayed symptom cases. Our team understands how insurance companies operate, and we fight their strategies by building persuasive, strong cases. We offer:
- Aggressive representation tailored to your case
- Proven track record of securing large verdicts and settlements
- No fee unless we win
We listen to your story, conduct in-depth research, and build a case of strong evidence to help you secure compensation.
Don’t wait to protect your rights. If you are experiencing delayed pain after an accident, it is not too late to act. Contact Michael LoGiudice, LLP, today for a free consultation. We will help you understand your options and pursue the justice you are entitled to. Your recovery begins with the right team of experienced attorneys on your side.