How Long After a Car Accident Can Injuries Appear?

Last updated on April 5th, 2023 at 10:22 pm

Whenever you are in a car accident, you should see a doctor. In some cases, paramedics will arrive at the scene and take you to the hospital. In other cases, you will simply walk away from the accident. You should seek medical attention as soon as you can, even if you feel okay. It is not always possible to detect an injury immediately.  An insurance company will want to know if you have been examined by a physician. They will also want to see x-rays and a medical report. 

According to Isaacson, Schiowitz & Korson, LLP- New York City Car Accident Lawyer, injuries from an accident may not show up for weeks or even months after a collision. It does not matter if it was a high-speed accident or one that happened when you were simply turning a corner. It is not a bad idea to follow up with your doctor a few months after a crash.

What Kinds of Injuries May Show Up Later?

There are a few different kinds of injuries that may take a while to show up. It is a good idea to ask your doctor about them when you are examined after an accident. New York is a no-fault state.

Whiplash

Whiplash is one of the most common injuries a person can get after a car accident. It often happens when a vehicle is rear-ended and a person’s head is thrown back and forth. The neck muscles can be damaged when this happens and the pain can be intense.

You may not know if you have whiplash right away. It is important to go to the doctor as soon as you feel pain. They can take an x-ray and see how severe the injury is. If your injury is minor, all you will need is rest and a little ice. If you have a serious case of whiplash, you may need painkillers, injections, and even physical therapy.

Concussion

Brain injuries sometimes take place when the brain is knocked out of place and hits the skull. You might think that a concussion would be immediately obvious, and sometimes it is. You may pass out or feel disoriented. However, the symptoms of a concussion might not manifest themselves right away.

If you find that you cannot remember things the way you used to or that you feel confused for no reason, you may have a concussion. Nausea, blurred vision, and headaches are also signs of this serious form of head injury.

When you have a concussion, your doctor will tell you to rest both physically and mentally for a couple of days. They are likely to  tell you to lie in a dark room and not read, watch television, or converse. They may give you medication if your condition persists.

When you go to the doctor after you have had an accident, you should request a CT scan. A doctor should be able to tell if you are injured right away.

Soft Tissue Injuries

When you injure a part of your body that is not a bone, it is called a soft tissue injury. You can get soft tissue injuries to your ligaments, muscles, and tendons. This kind of injury may occur when you hit your body against your steering wheel, door, or dashboard.

If you have pain, swelling, or redness around a certain area of your body, you may have a soft tissue injury. It may be a few days before you see or notice anything. Soft tissue injuries can be hard to diagnose because they will not always show up on an x-ray.

When you first get a soft tissue injury, you may not feel anything or the pain may be very mild. If you put pressure on it, the injury can become more severe. It is best to take it easy for a few days if you have one of these injuries.

Mild soft tissue injuries can be treated with ice. However, if you ice the area and it gets worse, you should see a doctor. You can also use a walking aid such as a cane and take over-the-counter medicine.

Collecting Evidence for an Insurance Company

When you report an accident to an insurance company, they are going to want documentation of all of the injuries that you have. They will also want to know how much treatment costs.
New York is a no-fault state when it comes to automobile insurance. This means that your own insurance company will pay for your injuries no matter who caused the accident. It also means that insurance companies have to pay each time one of their clients causes an accident. An insurance adjuster will scrutinize every detail of your claim. Hence, the better you document everything, the less reason they will have to try and get out of paying for your injuries.

What To Do At the Scene

When you have an accident, you are legally required to call the police and stay at the site of the crash until they show up. Get the names of witnesses and take pictures if you can. The police will write an accident report and you should get a copy of it.

Save Your Bills

Save a copy of every medical bill that you have. You should get a report from your doctor and ask them to include x-rays. Save the bills from any alternative treatments you have and save the receipts from any medicine that you have to take. If you need a maid service, you should save a record of those bills as well. Ask your employer to write you a letter stating any hours you have missed from work due to your injuries.

If you document everything carefully and your insurance company will not pay or offers you too little money, you should contact a personal injury attorney.

Getting injured in an accident is painful and upsetting. If you seek medical attention and document your injuries well, you should be able to get the money you deserve.