How Long Should I Watch for Injuries After a Car Accident?

Not all auto accident injuries are immediately noticeable. There are many cases where the injury takes days or weeks to manifest, or presents vague symptoms that make it difficult to recognize. People often wonder, “Is it normal to get headaches days after my crash?” or “Should I see a doctor for my post-accident soreness?” In situations like this, it’s wise to consider that there may be a delayed injury for which you may claim compensation.

What should you do if you notice injury symptoms days after your car collision? Your first priority should be getting them checked by a doctor. It’s also important to consult with an experienced personal injury lawyer to see the legal options available to you.

How Long Should You Wait for Post-Accident Symptoms?

For some people, signs of injury start soon after the accident and linger for weeks. For others, injury symptoms only become noticeable days after the crash. Either way, you’ll want to watch for signs of injury in the first six to eight weeks after your vehicle accident. Symptoms that persist that long, or symptoms that crop up within that time frame, could indicate a serious injury that needs medical attention.

Look out for persistent or delayed injury symptoms such as:

• Pain in any body part
• Stiff neck or stiff shoulders
• Tingling, numbness, or weakness in the arms or legs
• Difficulty moving, or pain when moving
• Recurring or constant headache
• Memory problems
• Problems with vision or hearing
• Constant fatigue or sleepiness
• Nausea.What Injuries Present Delayed Symptoms After an Accident?

Car crash injuries that can have persistent or delayed symptoms include:

• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Post-concussion syndrome
• Spinal cord injury
• Spine/backbone injury
• Soft-tissue injury (such as whiplash)
• Internal organ damage
• Bone or joint injuries.

Without timely treatment, these injuries could worsen and become more costly later on. Not only could they need expensive treatment, they can also impact your ability to work and conduct your daily activities. Visit your doctor if you still experience injury symptoms six weeks after your accident.

How Long Do You Have Until You See a Doctor After a Car Accident?

Some people wait out their body pains after an accident, hoping that these pains would go away on their own. However, if you wish to claim compensation after your car crash, it’s valuable to see a doctor as soon as you can, even if your symptoms feel minor. If possible, get medical attention within 72 hours of the accident. This is the period of time that insurance companies typically consider “reasonable” for you to visit the doctor.

Waiting too long would give the insurance adjuster a reason to downplay your claim, asserting that if your injury is as serious as you say it is, you would have gone to the doctor right away. Likewise, if you skip a follow-up appointment with your physician, the insurer could use this to indicate that your injury isn’t so severe.

But what if you get delayed pain after your car accident? What if your symptoms only start after 72 hours? You may still pursue a compensation claim, but it will be challenging to establish your injury to the insurer. Enlist a competent injury attorney on your side to help you prove the severity of your injury and assert the compensation you deserve for it.

Contact a Car Accident Injury Attorney in San Diego County

If your crash injury symptoms are delayed, lingering, or uncertain, get legal help from an attorney at the Hamparyan Personal Injury Lawyers. We are one of California’s most successful injury firms, having won complex accident claims resulting in full compensation for our clients. With over 20 years of experience, we are skilled at handling injury cases involving delayed or vague symptoms.

Your consultation with us is free, and we won’t charge you lawyer fees until we obtain compensation for you. You risk nothing while learning your next steps to get compensated. Call us today at (619) 550-1355.