Delayed Injuries After a Car Accident

After an auto accident, it is not unusual for someone to feel fine at first, only to start experiencing a delayed injury hours, days, or even weeks later. If you were in a crash a while ago but only now feel delayed injuries forming, then you might still be able to demand compensation from the driver that hit you. Let Schackow & Mercadante in Gainesville help you understand and use your legal options to pursue fair compensation.

Dial (352) 261-6767or contact us onlinefor a free consultation.

What are Delayed Injuries?

A delayed injury is an injury that does not immediately show any noticeable, outward symptoms. It can also be an injury that begins with mild symptoms that the injured person tries to ignore, but that gradually worsens without medical attention. 

Delayed injuries are most associated with car accidents and slip and fall accidents. It is believed that the adrenaline rush caused by the crash mutes the pain and other symptoms of a delayed injury, so it is not noticed until a while afterward.

Examples of Delayed Injuries

Common types of delayed injuries include:

• Whiplash: Neck injury that often happens in rear-end collisions and can have serious consequences if untreated.
• Concussion: Mild brain injury that usually begins as a headache but can be life-threatening if not treated soon.
• Internal bleeding: Emergency medical care is required; internal bleeding is often noticeable within hours of the injury due to its severity.
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): Serious anxiety disorder caused by traumatic events and that can be triggered repeatedly, especially if untreated.

What to Do If You Have a Delayed Injury

If you have suffered a delayed injury in a car accident, you should:

• Seek urgent medical attention: As soon as symptoms of a delayed injury begin, seek urgent medical attention. Even if you just feel sore, it could be indicative of a worse underlying injury. A doctor can diagnose your condition and create a treatment plan. The best practice is to seek medical attention immediately, or at least within 14 days so that you can have access to important Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits.
• Call a lawyer: You should speak with a lawyer from our law firm shortly after receiving medical treatment for a delayed injury. Based on the doctor’s diagnosis, we can determine how to build and file an injury claim.
• Notify your auto insurance company: Your auto insurance provider will need to be updated about your condition, too. We can communicate with your insurer once you hire our attorneys, so you don’t risk saying the wrong thing and jeopardizing your claim.

Contact Our Firm without Delay

Schackow & Mercadante in Gainesville can help you with every step of the legal process if you suffered a delayed injury after a car accident. We can negotiate settlements, represent you in court, and much more. Leave everything up to us, so you can focus on following your doctor’s orders.

Contact us nowto discuss a delayed injury claim or lawsuit with professional attorneys.