What Should I Do if My Car Accident Injuries Show Up Late in Louisiana?

By Peyton Murphy

Peyton Murphy has been fighting against big insurance companies for nearly 30 years as one of the top Baton Rouge personal injury lawyers and car accident attorneys.

When two objects of consequential mass, like cars for example, collide a lot of force is involved. This can easily cause injury to the bodies of the people involved even if the car accident only seemed like a mild fender bender. In fact, you might not even realize how hurt you are after a car accident until days later. When our bodies get excited or are put in high-stress situations, we produce adrenaline and other chemicals to give our bodies energy and numb pain. When these chemicals wear off, you may start to notice that you are in more pain than you initially thought in the aftermath of the car wreck. It is very common for car accident injuries to present themselves late. Let’s look at a couple of injuries that may present themselves later on, and what you should do if your car accident injuries aren’t immediately apparent.

Whiplash

One of the most common types of car accident injury, whiplash often doesn’t start affecting car accident victims until days or weeks after their accident. Whiplash is a soft tissue injury, which is an injury to the muscles, ligaments, or tendons of the body. This type of injury is caused by a sudden jerking motion to the neck and head, which commonly occurs during car accidents. Soft tissue injuries cause swelling, pain, and reduced mobility so they can have a huge impact on your livelihood. What really makes whiplash and other soft tissue injuries even more difficult is that they cannot be identified via X-Ray. It is very difficult to accurately diagnose and document soft tissue injuries when they cannot be seen. If you begin feeling pain, you need to seek medical treatment. Preferably from a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating soft tissue injuries.

Concussion

The other major type of injury to look out for in the days and weeks following a car accident is concussion. While some concussions are immediately apparent, in other cases it may take a while for symptoms to start presenting themselves. You need to know what to look out for if you or someone you love was involved in a car accident. Here are some of the tell-tale signs that someone has concussion:

• Trouble Remembering New Information
• Can’t Concentrate
• Hazy Thoughts
• Blurred Vision
• Persistent Headache
• Abnormal Sleep Patterns
• Dizziness
• Nausea

Concussions are serious. If you suspect you have a concussion, you need to seek medical treatment as soon you possibly can. If you were involved in a car accident, even if it seemed to be mild, be vigilant for signs of concussion.

What Should I Do if My Car Accident Injuries Show Up Late?

The first thing you need to remember is not to take any money or sign any papers presented by the insurance company. Following car accidents insurance companies will try to give you quick money if you sign away your rights to a lawsuit. If you feel okay after a car accident, and then your injuries become more apparent and progressively worse you won’t be able to file a lawsuit if you took their money and signed away your rights. Always speak to a car accident attorney before you take any money or sign any papers the insurance company offers.

You also need to seek medical attention as soon as your injuries present themselves. If you want to file a lawsuit, having medical records documenting your injuries and their progression is crucial evidence in your case. Medical treatment is also a surefire way to help you get on a path to recovery and getting your life back together following a car accident. Even if you feel okay after an accident, it may not be a bad idea to be evaluated by a doctor anyways. They can make sure you have no injuries, and give you signs to look out for that may indicate that your injuries are beginning to present themselves.

Hire a Baton Rouge Car Accident Lawyer

The best way to protect your rights and recover the compensation that you are owed is to hire a car accident lawyer. The personal injury attorneys at Murphy Law Firm have over 150 years of combined litigation experience. Some law firms look to settle cases as quickly as possible. You should try and avoid settlement mills! Insurance companies know who is willing to take a case to trial and who is ready to settle immediately. Hire a personal injury attorney with trial experience. The car accident attorneys at Murphy Law Firm prepare every single case for trial. Call us today at (225) 928-8800 to set up a FREE consultation with a personal injury lawyer.