How Long After a Car Accident Can Symptoms Appear?

Have you recently been in a car accident? Do you feel fine? Or did you initially feel okay but now, after some time has passed, you are starting to feel pain and discomfort? Are you worried that these pains might be related to your accident?

First and foremost, if you have been in any kind of collision, you should seek medical attention straight away. Immediate action protects your health and can benefit you legally. 

The truth is that vehicular collisions can cause injuries and pain that are not evident immediately. The symptoms of some injuries can develop slowly. They could take days or even weeks to appear. You must be attentive to symptoms as they show up after a car accident, even if initially you felt fine following the collision. 

How can you protect yourself legally and financially from injuries that may appear after an automobile collision? Please contact the personal injury lawyers at Phillips Law Group.

You can call us at (602) 222-2222 or fill out our online form to speak with one of our attorneys to schedule a free consultation.

Why Symptoms May Develop Later

No two human bodies are exactly the same. Additionally, the physical effects of a car crash can be significantly different in locations just centimeters apart. Consequently, even people sitting right next to each other in a vehicle can have very different results, injuries, and feelings after a car accident.

In our 21st century, researchers are still not certain as to the reason some human bodies immediately manifest injuries and other accident victims do not. After a vehicle collision, some people can see or feel symptoms within minutes or seconds. While other people, even passengers in the same car, may start feeling pain hours, days, or weeks after the accident.  

Your Body May Be Injured, But Adrenaline Might Not Let You Know

You may think yourself “lucky” that you were not hurt after a car collision because you do not feel any physical pain for the time being. It is even possible that you even feel better than usual after the accident, but how can this be after having been jostled about during the collision?

A car accident is a frightening and unnerving event. The human body has an instinctive way of coping with and managing sudden and significantly disturbing events. Your brain will make your body drastically increase its adrenaline.

Adrenaline is a hormone related to the “fight or flight” human response during an alarming situation. The body produces this hormone in abundance during and after a crash to give you the energy and ability necessary to escape danger. However, this hormone can also be dangerous and deceptive.

First, let us identify the positive and helpful effects of adrenaline. These include:

• Expansion of blood vessels and widening of air passageways, thus increasing the body’s flow of oxygen
• A sudden and drastic increase in strength as a result of a surge of blood pumping to your muscles
• An immediate and significant upsurge in energy
• Sharper vision and hearing can occur
• Observable reduction in pain (possibly no pain)

After an accident, at times, victims will say, “It’s strange, but I feel better now than I did when I woke up this morning.” Or the victim may see an injury on his or her body and remark, “It’s strange that this doesn’t hurt more than it does.”

These and similar comments are likely the results of a large amount of adrenaline. This endorphin certainly serves its purpose of helping your body function to reach safety after a collision. However, it can mislead a victim into believing that he or she is fine when really, that couldn’t be further from the truth.

As the adrenaline levels in your body return to normal, your body will let you know that you have been injured. Your body’s pain can become noticeable to its full degree in the hours following the accident. Although you may not be in pain initially after the collision, do not be fooled.

You may have widespread and severe injuries. The symptoms and pain may only be delayed. It is wise to seek medical attention after a car accident, even if you have never felt better – for now.

Some Severe Injuries Can Be Present Even When Pain Initially is Not

In addition to adrenaline masking injuries or reducing pain, another danger can exist among injuries after a car collision. Some injuries, although severe, may slowly develop pain. Other times, the pain of a serious injury might manifest itself initially as mild discomfort.

Some of the most common injuries that can be slow to appear after an auto accident are the following:

• Sprains
• Strains
• Whiplash
• Neck injuries
• Back injuries
• Spine injuries
• Head injuries
• Brain injuries
• Contusions
• Mental illnesses (for example, anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

An accident involving a car can leave a victim unsettled and anxious but seemingly without physical injury. However, make no mistake about it – an automobile collision is a powerful, forceful event.

Consider this, in one university study it was found that a passenger traveling at just 30 mph and wearing a seatbelt can experience briefly up to 3,200 pounds of force in a collision. Therefore, it is crucial to remember that injuries can be present although slow to manifest symptoms.

Early Symptoms of an Injury That is Slow to Appear

Some injuries and symptoms are felt instantly after a collision or crash. Whereas other injuries can appear slowly after hours, days, and even weeks after the accident. To prevent or minimize the long-term effects of these injuries, you must identify them as quickly as possible.

Common symptoms that can be indicative that you have been injured include the following:

• Headaches
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Weakness
• Tiredness
• Excessive sleeping
• Insomnia
• Back pain
• Neck pain
• Light sensitivity
• Blurred vision
• Sensitivity to loud noises
• Numbness
• Tingling sensations
• Abdominal pain
• Behavioral changes
• Difficulty remembering
• Memory loss

If you experience any of the above symptoms after a car crash, please do not take them lightly. It may be easy to think of them as routine discomforts or something to be expected after an accident. However, they could be indications of injuries caused by the collision.

These injuries could be very serious. Please visit a medical professional as soon as possible. This can help you physically and legally if you require compensation for your injuries.

Having medical documentation that links your injuries to the collision or crash is key if at-fault parties are resistant to paying financial restitution. The sooner you have authentic evidence from a medical professional, the better it is for your car accident case.

How to Get Legal Help for Your Car Accident Injuries That Appeared Slowly

Are you or a loved one experiencing pain from a car collision injury that appeared slowly? It is possible that you can hold the negligent driver accountable. You can potentially receive financial restitution for the medical bills, lost wages, pain, and suffering you are experiencing.

Let a personal injury lawyer who is skilled in car accident cases and slowly appearing injuries help you. Please get in contact with the personal injury lawyers at Phillips Law Group. You can call us at (602) 222-2222 or fill out our online form to speak with one of our attorneys.