Even if you don’t initially feel pain or notice any symptoms, it’s always a good idea to get a thorough medical examination after an accident. Doctors, with their advanced training, can often detect signs of injuries that may not be immediately obvious, even if they’re severe.
However, some injuries may not be detectable right away, even by doctors. Certain injuries develop gradually, worsening over time until symptoms become noticeable. Other injuries might occur immediately but take time to manifest. When that happens, can you still seek compensation? What happens if your injuries don’t appear until days or even weeks after the accident?
If you’ve recently developed symptoms from an accident that occurred some time ago, your best course of action is to see your doctor and then consult an experienced personal injury attorney. You’ll need evidence to support your claim, and your doctor can provide crucial medical documentation, while an attorney can help gather additional evidence to secure compensation for your future needs.
The Importance of Documenting Your Injury Quickly
As soon as you notice symptoms, it’s important to visit a doctor. Be sure to explain that you were in an accident, so the doctor can look for injuries related to the trauma. If your doctor doesn’t take your concerns seriously, consider seeking a second opinion. Your future health and well-being are too important to risk missing something as critical as a traumatic brain injury or other serious conditions.
A medical examination not only protects your health but also helps ensure your ability to recover compensation for your injuries. The doctor’s records serve as critical medical evidence. In addition, you can strengthen your case by keeping a personal log of the symptoms you’re experiencing and how they impact your daily life.
If you start connecting your symptoms to the accident long after it happened, take detailed notes about your observations. Documentation created shortly after the onset of symptoms is far more persuasive than memories recalled months or years later.
Be Aware of the Statute of Limitations, But Don’t Wait
In Georgia, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases generally gives accident victims two years from the date of the accident to file a legal claim for damages. Many people assume this means there’s no rush to consider legal action. This can be a costly mistake.
In some cases, the statute of limitations may be shorter, or you may need to file certain paperwork to preserve your right to file a claim. More importantly, seeking early assistance from an experienced attorney can make the difference between receiving compensation and being left with nothing. Insurance companies and investigators may attempt to manipulate accident victims into making statements that could jeopardize their claims. Having a lawyer on your side ensures that all questions are referred to your legal counsel, preventing potential missteps.
Acting quickly is also essential because gathering evidence soon after the accident is crucial to proving that another party was responsible for your injuries. You’ll need to show that their negligence caused your delayed onset injuries. The longer you wait, the harder it becomes to collect reliable evidence.
Surveillance footage of the accident could be lost, witnesses might become difficult to locate, and their memories may fade. Accident scenes change over time, and crucial evidence like skid marks may disappear. Your attorney can help gather this evidence immediately to build a strong case for you.
Types of Injuries That Are Not Immediately Apparent
In cases where injuries take time to develop, proving that the accident caused them—rather than another event afterward—can be challenging. To recover compensation, it’s important to work with a lawyer who understands how to establish the connection between the accident and your delayed onset injuries.
Common injuries that often take days or weeks to manifest include:
– Whiplash
– Traumatic brain injuries
– Internal bleeding
– Spinal compression fractures
– Internal organ damage
Some of the most serious injuries, especially to the brain and spine, may not become evident until much later and can worsen over time, leading to long-term impairment.
In addition to these, minor injuries can sometimes become infected, leading to serious complications like organ failure. After any accident, such as a slip and fall or car crash, it’s important to listen to your body in the days and weeks following the event. If something feels off, get it checked out.
Glass Robson Helps Victims of Delayed Onset Injuries
If your injuries don’t appear until days or weeks after an accident, recovering compensation can be more challenging, but the right attorney can help you overcome these obstacles. At Glass Robson, we work diligently to help you achieve the maximum physical, emotional, and financial recovery. Contact us today for a free consultation to find out what your case may be worth.