A car accident can result in many different types of injuries. Broken bones, deep cuts, and other types of injuries are often visible and immediately apparent. However, there are injuries that are not as easy to identify after a crash. Certain types of injuries may not become visible for days or even weeks after a collision.
When accident victims suffer from delayed injuries after an accident, they often wonder if they can still claim compensation for them. Fortunately, if another driver caused the accident, you can likely still claim damages for injuries that did not show up right away. To do this, there are important steps to take to protect your claim. Our Tennessee car accident lawyer explains in greater detail below.
Why do some car accident injuries take time to appear?
It is not uncommon for car accident victims to feel fine in the moments and hours following a car crash. There are many reasons certain types of injuries do not show symptoms immediately after a collision. These include:
- Adrenaline and shock: The moments following a crash are shocking, stressful, and frightening. This sudden trauma can cause the body to go into shock, and a rush of adrenaline can flood the body. This is often referred to as ‘fight or flight’ mode. The adrenaline and shock caused by a crash can mask the pain you are feeling until the shock starts to wear off.
- Distraction: There is a lot to think about after a car accident. You may wonder what to say to law enforcement officers who appear on the scene, worry about others and if they are okay, and wonder how you will get to work if your car is damaged. All of these are distractions that can take your mind off your injuries.
- Latency: Not all injuries will show symptoms right away. Over time, though, inflammation and other injuries can become worse. As they do, they may cause more pain and become more apparent.
- Multiple injuries: It is not uncommon for accident victims to injure several parts of their body during a crash. When one injury is more severe than the others, it is easy to focus on the one that is more serious.
Common types of delayed injuries after a car accident
There are many different types of injuries that do not always immediately show symptoms after a car accident. The most common of these include:
- Traumatic brain injuries, including concussions
- Whiplash
- Back and neck injuries, such as herniated discs
- Strains and sprains
- Soft tissue injuries
- Internal bleeding and damage to internal organs
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
The above injuries may take anywhere from a few days to even a few weeks to appear. For example, PTSD symptoms often begin within three months, but they can sometimes emerge later.
Can you pursue compensation for delayed injuries after a car accident?
If another person’s negligence caused your accident, you can pursue compensation from them for your medical bills, lost income, and other losses. However, doing so is more complicated than when injuries are immediately apparent. The insurance company representing the negligent party may argue that the accident did not cause your injuries. They may state that another incident caused your injuries, particularly when there is a period of time between the collision and medical treatment for delayed injuries.
It is also important to note that in Tennessee, you generally have just one year to file a personal injury lawsuit. This time limit is known as the statute of limitations. If you do not file your claim within this time, you will likely be barred from receiving any compensation at all.
How to strengthen your claim after delayed injuries
Although filing a claim to pursue compensation for delayed injuries after a car accident is more complex, it is not impossible. There are several ways to strengthen your claim.
First and foremost, it is critical that you seek medical attention after any car accident. Even if you do not feel pain or think you were injured, it is important to allow a doctor to examine you. A physician can identify any injuries that are not apparent and provide the treatment you need. This can help prevent your injuries from becoming worse. It also establishes a direct link between the collision and your injuries, which supports your claim that the crash caused them.
Just like after any car accident, it is important to collect evidence to support your claim. Photographs and video footage of the scene can document important information, such as skid marks on the road, your injuries, or the damage to the vehicles involved. Locating eyewitnesses is also of great importance, as they can provide neutral and objective statements regarding how the accident occurred and identify another driver as being at fault.
Police reports can also help document what happened and may be useful during the insurance process. Due to this, you should also report any car accident to law enforcement while you are still at the scene.
Contacting a Tennessee car accident lawyer as soon as possible after a crash is also very helpful when filing a claim. A lawyer can conduct an investigation and collect evidence that proves your case. Your attorney can also have an extensive network of experts they work with regularly. These professionals, including accident reconstruction experts and vocational experts, can also testify regarding how the crash occurred, your ability to return to work, and other important factors in your case. From the start, your attorney can also negotiate with the at-fault party for fair damages.
Call our car accident lawyer in Tennessee today
It is always important to work with a Tennessee car accident lawyer after any crash. When you are trying to pursue compensation for delayed injuries, however, it is even more critical. At Banks & Jones, our experienced attorney can work to make sure you undergo an evaluation by a trusted medical professional so you receive the treatment you need, prove how your injuries occurred, and negotiate with the negligent party for the full compensation you may deserve. Call us today or contact us online to schedule a consultation with our experienced attorneys.
T. Scott knows the importance of interacting with colleagues to stay abreast of developments and changes in the legal world. T. Scott frequently teaches CLE courses on trial strategy, teaching other lawyers his methods for success in the courtroom, and is certified as a Rule 31 Mediator in the Tennessee Supreme Court. He is a member of the Knoxville Bar Association, the Tennessee Bar Association, the National Trial Lawyers, and both the Tennessee and American Associations for Justice.
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