There are two types of injuries that develop after a car accident. First, there are immediate injuries. Often stemming from acute trauma, these injuries arise in the immediate aftermath of an accident and should be tended to right away. These injuries are obvious, and documenting them and receiving compensation for these injuries is a rather straightforward process.
But then there’s the second type of injury, the delayed injury. In this case, symptoms from a car accident may not appear until days, weeks or even months after the accident. These injuries can be difficult for someone to receive compensation for, but there are some things you can do to put yourself in the best position to win an injury suit. We share those tips in today’s blog.
Delayed Car Accident Injuries
In order to have the best chance to win a lawsuit for an injury that didn’t appear immediately after an accident, you’ll want to follow these tips.
1. See a Doctor – Even if you don’t think you’ve suffered any major injuries, it is always wise to head into a doctor’s office for an examination in the wake of a car accident. A physical exam or imaging tests can help identify potential problems or underlying issues that may arise in the future. If these are documented at the outset, it is a whole lot easier to prove if you eventually need to file an injury suit.
2. Write Down Your Symptoms – Another way to help build your injury case is to write down your symptoms as you experience them. If you’re experiencing blurred vision or headaches two weeks after an accident, document your symptoms and their severity. Keeping a record of your injuries will help you put together an accurate picture of what’s going on inside your body.
3. Know What To Look For – If you break your leg in a car accident, that’s something that almost always is evident right away. However, there are some injuries that are much more likely to produce late-developing symptoms. Symptoms like headaches, blurred vision, confusion, difficulty remembering can all arise weeks after an accident, as can soft tissue injuries like whiplash. If you know what symptoms to look for, you’ll be more likely to recognize them as a condition related to your accident.
4. Don’t Sign Release of Liability – It is common for the injured party to sign a release of liability form after settling a car accident claim. This puts an end to any current of future claims related to the incident. If you sign this form, you may end up missing out on compensation for other injuries. Before you sign this form, always perform step number five.
5. Legal Help – Finally, you’ll want professional legal help on your side if you are going to file an injury claim for a late-developing injury. There are special forms that need to be filled out and deadlines that need to be met, and we are well-versed in managing all these conditions. Don’t go without compensation simply because symptoms didn’t develop right away, contact a legal professional who knows the ins and outs of the system and can get you the compensation you deserve.
