While the number of car collisions has decreased in the US in the past couple of years, their severity has increased. This can be understood by the simple fact that while injuries decreased by 17% between 2019 and 2020, fatalities increased by 8%. However, when you see the overall pattern, road traffic injuries grew by 34,000 to around 2.28 million from 2010 to 2020.

Car crashes are traumatic incidents that can result in severe bodily and emotional harm. Some wounds, such as broken bones, lacerations, or visible trauma,  are immediately obvious. However, these crashes can also cause some physical harm that may not manifest right away. These “delayed onset injuries” can be just as serious, if not more so, due to their subtle nature.

You should understand how to properly handle these types of physical harm. This will ensure a full recovery and safeguard your legal rights in the event of an automobile accident.

What Are Delayed Onset Injuries?

Delayed onset injuries are those that may take days or even weeks to show symptoms after an accident. They usually follow post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)-causing events like abuse or a vehicle crash. A Frontier study aimed at investigating the predictors for early and delayed onset harm. It was found that factors like higher physical damage severity, subthreshold PTSD, and stressful life events can cause delayed onset injuries.

In most cases, pain or discomfort can be concealed by the adrenaline rush that occurs right after the accident. Thus, the body might start to exhibit signs of physical harm only once this rush fades. Concussions, internal harm, soft tissue damage, and whiplash are typical instances of these kinds of injuries.

Whiplash, for instance, occurs when your neck moves back and forth rapidly due to the collision impact. Its symptoms, such as neck stiffness, headaches, and dizziness, may not become apparent until a day or two after the accident. Similarly, internal issues like bleeding or organ damage might not be apparent right away, but if not addressed, they can be fatal.

Recognizing the Signs of Delayed Injuries

You can start feeling pain or discomfort in areas where there was no obvious injury. Additionally, you may experience unusual fatigue, headaches, or dizziness. In such scenarios, it’s important to seek medical attention immediately to find out the underlying cause and treat it. Even if the pain seems tolerable initially, it’s better to have a professional evaluation to rule out serious internal damage.

Symptoms such as persistent back pain, shoulder stiffness, or difficulty moving limbs could indicate soft tissue damage or spinal damage. On the other hand, unexplained dizziness, blurred vision, or memory problems could signal a concussion or brain injury. Keep in mind that some symptoms, like abdominal pain, can indicate internal harm, which can worsen if ignored.

For instance, an NCBI article states that vehicle accidents are the most common cause of blunt abdominal trauma in the US. If you ignore the pain and don’t get treated, it can further lead to internal bleeding, organ damage, contusions, etc. Thousands of patients are admitted to emergency departments annually due to this problem.

The Importance of Legal Assistance

Car accident victims often face an uphill battle when dealing with insurance companies or other parties involved in the crash. This is especially true when it comes to physical damages that weren’t immediately obvious. Insurance adjusters may attempt to argue that injuries that appear later are unrelated to the accident or that they were pre-existing conditions. This is where a legal expert’s knowledge is extremely important.

Consider a multi-vehicle crash that occurred in Little Rock, Arkansas, in December 2024. According to Yahoo!, the accident involved a school bus and other vehicles. It occurred near exit 4 and impacted all the Interstate 630 lanes. Five persons were hurt in the crash, according to the Little Rock Fire Department. None of them suffered any serious injuries, though, and they were all sent right away to a nearby hospital.

Now, although there were no immediate wounds visible, there are chances of delayed physical damage. In such situations, a Little Rock auto accident attorney can provide the guidance needed to protect the victim’s rights.

As stated by Keith Law Group, a skilled lawyer will be able to evaluate your case and pursue a fair settlement for your injuries. With delayed physical harm, the statute of limitations and legal complexities can be tricky. However, a lawyer will ensure that all necessary steps are taken in a timely manner.

The Impact of Delayed Injuries on Your Recovery Process

Even if your delayed physical damages are identified early, recovery can be a lengthy and challenging process. Treatment options might include medication, surgery, physical therapy, or lifestyle changes, depending on the severity. The emotional and financial toll can also be significant, especially if the physical harm affects your ability to work or care for yourself.

These issues may have a lasting effect on your quality of life. You should receive payment for your pain and suffering, lost income, and current and future medical costs. It might take some time to negotiate a just settlement, therefore, having an experienced lawyer at your side is important.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do some car accident physical harm take days or weeks to appear?

After an injury, the fight-or-flight response releases adrenaline, which can temporarily mask pain and suffering. Furthermore, some problems, such as concussions or soft tissue damage, worsen over time as internal swelling and inflammation rise. These are a few of the causes of delayed onset, which might lead to some car collision injuries happening later.

Which delayed physical damage symptoms are most frequently disregarded?

Symptoms can vary based on the type and severity of the physical harm. However, some commonly overlooked symptoms include persistent fatigue, sleep disturbances, emotional changes (such as anxiety or depression), and digestive issues. These symptoms can be linked to hidden injuries like concussions, internal bleeding, or nerve damage.

Can my primary care physician diagnose accident-related injuries, or should I see a specialist?

Your primary doctor can conduct an initial evaluation when you start experiencing symptoms of delayed physical harm caused by a car collision. However, it is important to consult specialists such as orthopedic doctors, neurologists, or chiropractors for specific problems like concussions or spinal damage.

Even while certain injuries might not be apparent right away, they should never be disregarded. You can speed up your recovery and avoid future issues by taking the proper actions as soon as possible. Don’t be afraid to get the care and legal assistance you need to safeguard your health.