If another vehicle ran a red light and crashed into your vehicle on the way to work, you likely feel overwhelmed in the moments after the accident. You worry about if you were hurt, if someone else has been hurt and how serious the damage is to your car. You may feel thankful if you only have a few cuts on your face and arms. However, maybe a few days, or a week later, you can barely get out of bed. Or you notice you have a headache that won’t go away, or your neck really hurts.
It’s not uncommon to experience delayed injury symptoms after a car accident. That’s because your body produced adrenaline after the crash, which could mask your pain from an injury.
When to seek treatment for delayed injuries
If you notice any of the following delayed symptoms after a car accident, you need to seek medical treatment as soon as possible:
- Headaches
- Neck or shoulder pain
- Back pain
- Abdominal pain
- PTSD (common among children and where you have flashbacks or nightmares about the accident)
If you have a headache that won’t go away, you could have a concussion. If you have neck pain, you could be suffering from whiplash. Abdominal pain might be a sign you have internal bleeding, which requires medical attention. If you are suffering from PTSD, you could become afraid to drive again and may need mental health treatment.
By seeking medical treatment as soon as your injury symptoms occur, you will have a better chance of receiving maximum compensation for your injuries. Insurance companies want documented medical proof of how serious your injury is and that you are following your doctor’s treatment plan.
When getting medical bills paid becomes a problem
If you have a problem getting your medical bills paid after an auto accident injury, you should seek the help of an experienced attorney. A personal injury attorney can help ensure an insurance company pays you enough to cover your medical bills and any lost time from work. An attorney can advise you if the settlement an insurance company offers you is fair.
With an attorney’s help, you can worry less about how you will pay your expenses and focus more on making a full recovery. More than likely, you want to move forward and feel like your life is getting back to normal.