Not all car crash injuries show up right away. You could walk away from a bad crash feeling relatively unharmed, only to develop significant pain or other symptoms hours or even days later. Unfortunately, you may be more seriously hurt than you initially believe. The body’s initial stress response can temporarily mask pain. Inflammation and swelling can also take time to develop.

If you experience delayed symptoms after a motor vehicle accident, seek medical attention as soon as possible. In addition to protecting your health, seeking professional medical care is important for legal reasons. It helps to establish the connection between your injuries and the collision. A Little Rock car accident lawyer can help you file a claim for a delayed-onset injury.

Many Common Car Accident Injuries Arise With a Delayed Onset

Not all car accident injuries cause immediate pain or other noticeable symptoms. Indeed, it is relatively common for injured victims to feel fine immediately after a collision, only to experience worsening symptoms in the following hours, days, or even weeks. Several factors can delay symptoms, including the body’s initial adrenaline response, how inflammation develops, and the often gradual onset of swelling. Some of the most common car crash injuries in Arkansas that are associated with a delayed onset include:

Whiplash: Whiplash usually feels worse in the days after the crash. It is a potentially serious injury caused by the sudden back-and-forth movement of the neck during a collision, which can damage muscles, ligaments, and other soft tissues. Common whiplash symptoms include neck pain, stiffness, headaches, and reduced range of motion.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs): Any blow or force to the head in a car accident in Arkansas should be taken seriously. Concussions and other brain injuries do not always cause immediate or obvious symptoms. Beyond that, some people who believe they are only feeling “mild” symptoms initially may actually have a serious TBI. If a car accident is followed by headaches, dizziness, confusion, short-term memory problems, and/or difficulty concentrating, you need to see a doctor right away.
Herniated Discs: Back problems are another difficult-to-diagnose injury that can develop later. A collision can damage the discs that cushion the spine’s vertebrae. As inflammation develops or pressure on nearby nerves increases, victims may experience back pain, radiating discomfort, numbness, or tingling.
Muscle Strains and Ligament Sprains: Damage to muscles, tendons, and ligaments can initially cause only mild discomfort. However, the pain, swelling, bruising, and restricted movement may become more pronounced over the following days.
Joint Damage: A collision can damage joints, cartilage, ligaments, and surrounding tissues. Swelling and inflammation may cause increasing pain, stiffness, instability, or difficulty moving the affected joint.
Internal Injuries: In some cases, delayed-onset injuries are serious medical emergencies. Car accident victims may suffer damage to internal organs or blood vessels that may not produce obvious external signs of injury. Abdominal pain, dizziness, weakness, or other symptoms can develop later and may indicate a serious or even potentially life-threatening condition.

Delayed symptoms deserve prompt medical attention. An early diagnosis can protect your health while helping establish the connection between your injuries and the car accident for an Arkansas personal injury claim. Our Little Rock car accident lawyer knows the importance of building a strong case that ties your injuries to the crash. As an example, we recovered $225,000 in compensation for a car accident victim whose injuries did not involve broken bones or require surgery, but did require ongoing medical care.

You Can Still Bring a Claim for a Delayed Onset Car Crash Injury

A delay between a car accident and the onset of injury symptoms does not prevent you from pursuing compensation under Arkansas law. Many legitimate car accident injuries do not cause immediate pain or other noticeable symptoms. The key legal issue is causation. To recover compensation, you must establish that another party’s negligence caused the crash and that the crash caused your injuries.

Here is the challenge: Insurers are not on your side after a car accident. In fact, an insurance company may challenge this connection when symptoms appear several days after a collision. They may argue that your injuries resulted from another incident or even a preexisting medical condition.

Strong medical evidence is essential in a delayed-onset car accident injury claim. Medical records, diagnostic imaging, physician opinions, and symptom documentation can help establish the connection between the collision and your injuries. You should also preserve accident reports, photographs, and other evidence that supports your account of what happened.

FAQs: Delayed Car Accident Injury Claims

Should I see a doctor for a delayed car accident injury?

Yes. You should seek medical attention as soon as possible if you develop pain or other symptoms in the days following a motor vehicle crash in Little Rock. Remember, several different types of serious injuries, including concussions, whiplash, and soft tissue damage, may not cause immediate symptoms. Your health and well-being are always the top priority after a crash.

How do insurance companies handle delayed symptom claims?

There can be some practical differences. Most notably, insurance companies may apply additional scrutiny when a car accident victim has delayed symptoms. An insurer may argue that your injuries were unrelated to the collision, resulted from a preexisting condition, or are less serious than you claim. A Little Rock car accident lawyer can help you hold an insurer accountable.

What is the car accident injury statute of limitations in Arkansas?

Under Arkansas law (Arkansas Code Annotated § 16-56-105), most car accident injury claims have a three-year statute of limitations, including those involving delayed-onset symptoms. Don’t miss your opportunity to pursue justice and compensation. Be proactive: Consult with a top Little Rock car accident attorney right away after a serious crash.

Contact Our Little Rock Car Accident Lawyer Today

At Reed Firm, our Little Rock car accident lawyer is an aggressive, experienced advocate for justice. If your symptoms developed with a delay after a motor vehicle crash, we can help. Call us at 501-777-7333 or contact us online for a free case review. Our firm handles car accident claims in Little Rock, Pulaski County, and throughout Arkansas.

Why Some Car Accident Injuries Don’t Appear Immediately