What To Do If Your Car Accident Injuries Appear Late

When you get into a car accident, many injuries show up right away, but others do not. In some cases, the injuries take longer to manifest, and you may need to file a claim later than you expected. Here is more information about injuries that show up late and how to handle them.

How Injuries Show Up Later On

While the more obvious injuries do make themselves known right after a car accident, others can take a little time. After an accident, you are likely running on adrenaline, so you don't feel the extent your injuries.  After an accident, you are likely running on adrenaline, so you don't feel the extent your injuries.. You may find that after a couple busy weeks, you start experiencing chronic pain and find out from your doctor that it was likely a result of the accident.

The Frequency of Soft Tissue Injuries

One of the more common injuries that tends to appear late is a soft-tissue injury. A soft tissue injury affects your muscles, tendons or ligaments, but not any bones. A bone break is usually distinguishable by the look of a break as well as the intense amount of pain. However, soft tissue issues are sometimes subtle and only cause mild discomfort until days or even weeks later.

This kind of injury could occur from knocking you shoulder against the car door window or experiencing a twisted ankle as a result of your body movement during the collision. Whiplash is also considered a soft tissue injury, which may not show symptoms until much later.

How to Report Your Injuries

If it has been a little while since your car accident and you are just now experiencing pain or signs of an injury, seek medical help, then call an attorney. It is important that you report your injuries, no matter how long it has been since your accident. Having medical records will be very helpful when trying to represent your case. Be sure to save all records, from receipts for any co-pays and prescriptions, to documents from your doctor, physical therapist, or chiropractor.

A personal injury attorney specializes in this type of case, so they are the best type of lawyer to see for late-appearing car accident injuries. They will look through your medical records and decide if they think you have a case. Also be sure you are within your statute of limitations for filing the claim.

For more information, contact a personal injury lawyer like those at Gibbs and Parnell.