A Philadelphia Car Accident Attorney Discusses Hidden Injuries After a Car Accident: Why Symptoms May Not Show Up Right Away

A car accident may injure a person significantly. From bruising to fractures to brain injuries- the severity of the accident does not always correspond to the severity of the injuries. In some situations, hidden injuries may occur. These are medical issues that are not immediately apparent but arise in the hours or days following the accident. An accident victim’s body may mask pain symptoms initially. This can lead to someone failing to receive medical treatment for injuries that will eventually require assistance from a doctor or other medical professional. This blog post will discuss why symptoms of serious injuries may not show up right away, as well as the common hidden injuries suffered in car accidents. Questions about how to proceed after an accident should be addressed to a trusted Philadelphia car accident attorney.

What Makes Hidden Injuries Dangerous For Car Accident Victims?

Hidden injuries do not stay hidden for long. Eventually, the pain and other symptoms of the injury will make themselves apparent. Until then, a person may be harming themselves by not receiving treatment.

Delaying medical treatment may cause injuries to worsen in severity. It is understandable not to see a doctor if a person is not suffering symptoms after a car accident. However, that does not mean that a latent injury has not occurred, which is worsening as the hours and days go by. This may cause more severe symptoms later once the body has had a chance to recover from the initial shock of the accident.

Most people anticipate some degree of soreness and pain after a car accident. For example, it is reasonable to expect that after being rear-ended, your back or neck may hurt. However, unless that pain is initially severe, a person may forego immediate medical care. This can be a significant mistake, as pain and other symptoms may worsen over time.

How Do Insurance Companies View Delayed Medical Treatment?

When filing a personal injury claim after a car accident, insurance companies expect to see medical treatment for whatever injuries are being alleged. True enough —medical treatment can and should vary depending on the specific injury complained of. However, the key point to understand is that an insurance company must have medical treatment to make appropriate settlement offers.

Not receiving medical treatment for an injury means that “gaps” may develop in a person’s medical care. Gaps refer to periods between the present moment and the time of the accident during which medical care was received. These gaps typically work against the injured person. Essentially, these periods during which no treatment was received can be taken as a sign that the injuries complained of are less significant than alleged.

No matter what sort of medical treatment a person receives after a car accident, it is essential for an injured person to advocate for themselves. Anthony C. Gagliano, III, Esquire, P.C., serves clients injured in car accidents. When an injury victim’s health and well-being are at stake, our team of legal professionals can step in as an advocate for their rights.

What Are Some Signs Of A Hidden Injury After A Car Accident?

Immediately after a car accident, it is critical to assess yourself for injuries. Obvious injuries will manifest themselves with significant pain directly after an accident occurs. Other conditions may have symptoms that are masked or hidden for up to 48 hours.

For that reason, an accident victim should monitor themselves for some of the more common symptoms or issues after a car accident:

• Problems concentrating at school or work can indicate a hidden injury impacting the brain or nervous system. A concussion may have occurred when a person’s head comes into contact with the steering wheel. When the impact occurs, it may have taken place so quickly that the person may be unaware of even making contact with the steering wheel or dashboard with their head.
• Some pain can appear minimal immediately after an accident. The most well-known example of this relates to a person’s neck or back. Neck or back pain may be minimal initially. Once the body has had time to recover after an accident, neck or back pain may worsen significantly.

What Can Be Done Once Pain Symptoms Begin To Worsen?

Being serious about pain suffered in a car accident means receiving medical treatment. Pain may be temporary or could be an indication of a more serious medical condition.

Even if you do not think you are injured, it is a good idea to seek medical attention. A basic physical examination by a primary care physician provides a person with a general overview of how the body has reacted to the trauma of a car accident. If a referral to a specialist is needed, the primary care doctor can provide that information.

Basic care for soft-tissue injuries includes ice, heat, and elevation of the affected body part. Arms and legs can be raised above heart level to reduce swelling. Resting after a car accident is also important. It may sound like basic information, but taking these steps can help to reduce pain and encourage healing in the days following a car accident.

A Philadelphia Car Accident Attorney Helps People Injured In Car Accidents

A hidden injury after a car accident can become anything but hidden as the hours and days pass. A range of injuries- mental and physical- can result from even a low-impact car accident. Anthony C. Gagliano, III, Esquire, P.C., serves clients who are injured in car accidents. Turn to an experienced Philadelphia car accident attorney for help protecting your rights. Our office offers free consultations where you can ask questions and receive feedback on your specific circumstances. Full compensation for injuries suffered is not too much to ask. Contact our team today to learn more about Anthony C. Gagliano, III, Esquire, P.C., and how we can help you.