Car accidents can be catastrophic in the moment. Between the damage to your vehicle and the severity of your own injuries, the few minutes following your collision are the most critical. But not all crashes result in immediate and severe injuries, and just because you think you’ve made it out unscathed, it doesn’t mean you’re completely unharmed. Read on to learn what to do if your car accident injuries appear late and how you can still get the compensation you’re owed.
Know Your Symptoms
First, it’s important that you know how to recognize key symptoms. Whiplash, concussions, and soft tissue injuries like sprains can all start worsening in the days following your crash. Because of this, you should understand what to look for to ensure you get the proper medical treatment in a timely manner. Some things to note include sudden feelings of fatigue or nausea, the development of aches and pains in certain areas of the body, and physical stiffness that hinders your movement.
Seek Medical Assistance
If you notice any of these signs, the next thing you should do is obtain medical treatment immediately. Diagnosing these injuries right away will help prevent them from worsening and save you a lot of discomfort in the process. This will also provide you with the proper corrective treatment and potentially reduce the time it’ll take for you to heal.
Talk to Your Insurance Company
Next, make a phone call to your insurance company to let them know that you did sustain injuries from the accident. Depending on who was at fault in your crash, insurance providers use this information to better determine the amount of coverage you’ll receive. Letting them know as soon as possible can get you the compensation you need to pay for your treatment.
Reach Out to a Legal Team
One of the most important things to do if your car accident injuries appear late is to contact a qualified personal injury lawyer for advice. If the amount the insurance company provides isn’t enough, you may need to file a claim to settle for the rest of what you need. This involves proving the negligence of the other driver by showing distraction or intoxication at the time of the crash. Remember, you can still file a claim up to a year after your accident. Even if your injuries develop symptoms later, you still have time to respond.
