At Saffren and Weinberg, Marc Alan Weinberg, Attorney and Kenneth Scott Saffren, Attorney are partners. The firm’s tagline is “The People’s Voice In Court.” They make themselves available via phone at (215) 309-9577 or by email on the Saffren and Weinberg website. Saffren and Weinberg provide a no-charge, complimentary case review and answers questions for prospective clients.
Automobile Accident Lawyer: Watching out for Delayed Symptoms
When accident victims display apparent signs of injury like bleeding, loss of consciousness or pain they are rushed to the nearest hospital immediately. What happens though when no such evident signs of trauma are visible?
Take for instance the case of Tom who had been involved in a devastating car crash. His car was severely damaged, however, miraculously he seemed to have escaped unhurt. There were no visible injuries apart from some minor scratches and bruises. Tom didn’t bother going to the hospital and went back to work the next day. All seemed well until about a week later when he suddenly collapsed at work and had to be rushed to the emergency room. It was only then that Tom’s family found out that he had suffered severe internal injuries as a result of the accident.
While most injuries are apparent immediately after the accident, there are some that might not be noticeable for hours or even days. The challenge with injuries that have a delayed manifestation is not just limited to complications in treatment. Getting compensation from insurance companies for injuries that are not reported in time becomes all the more difficult as well. You should always consult an automobile accident lawyer when you are filing a claim after a while after an auto accident.
So what should you do if you or a loved one is involved in an accident?
The first thing you must do is get medical aid. Even if you think you haven’t suffered any severe injuries, it is best to get a medical opinion. A thorough medical examination can often help detect internal injuries which are not showing any outward signs yet.
Even if you do get the green light from the doctors, you should exercise caution for a few days after the accident. Keep a lookout for any changes in your body functions or any physical or mental symptoms that have started showing after the crash. Consult a doctor immediately if you happen to notice any changes. Emotional or behavioral changes should not be taken lightly either as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is common in victims of accidents.
Physical symptoms:
Accidents at times involve collisions with hard objects like your head getting banged against the windshield for example. Such collisions can leave a substantial impact on the body which might not always be visible immediately. A severe effect could lead to serious internal injuries and cause internal bleeding or formation of blood clots.
Watch out for any new pains, swelling or bruises that might appear after the accident. Headaches, dizziness or lightheadedness should not be ignored. Go to a doctor right away if you notice any of these symptoms.
Back pain could indicate muscle injury, spinal injury or injuries involving nerves or ligaments in the back. Slipped discs can also cause severe pain. Headaches or numbness could be due to a concussion or some other form of head injury, and immediate medical attention is needed in such cases. Neck pain and shoulder pain could also be possible signs of damage in the back or head.
Tenderness or bloating of the stomach area or pain in the region is another symptom that needs to be addressed without delay. Stomach pain could be a sign of internal bleeding.
Behavioral changes:
Apart from physical changes, you also need to look out for emotional changes and mental symptoms like irritability, moodiness, sleep problems, anxiety or stress, loss of appetite or alteration in the normal behavior of the individual. These symptoms could be a sign of PTSD which requires treatment.
When injuries are immediate, apparent medical aid is sought right away, and insurance claims are also usually filed without delay. However, when damages caused by accident are visible after some time has passed, it complicates the case for claiming insurance as well.
Insurance companies are always trying to look for loopholes in an attempt to get out of paying compensation. Your insurance company might try to underplay the link between the accident and the injuries in case of a delayed manifestation of symptoms. They might try to attribute the injuries to factors other than the crash.
You should seek a legal opinion along with a medical one as soon as you notice any symptoms that indicate an injury after an auto accident. A personal injury lawyer will be able to help you in getting compensation from your insurance company. If you have any questions regarding your case, give us a call at 215-576-0100 for a free consultation about filing your auto accident claim.
