Delayed-symptom injuries frequently are experienced in automobile accident, so the effect of a motor vehicle collision on the human body often appears to be deceptively minor. While some serious car accidents involve injuries that obviously require immediate medical attention, others may involve hidden injuries that do not surface until sometime after the accident. In these instances, a Mississippi auto accident victim may not immediately notice that he or she even has an injury following a car crash and only discover later that he or she has potentially serious symptoms.
Commonly reported symptoms or injuries that may not become apparent until sometime after a Mississippi car accident include:
- Whiplash
- Concussion
- Headaches
- Vision problems
- Internal bleeding
- Sprains
- Back pain
- Traumatic brain injury
Individuals who are involved in a car crash should make sure to promptly visit a medical professional if they experience any pain, problems with mobility, or other health problems. Many of these types of delayed-symptom injuries occur in car accidents because of the sudden back and forth motion the body is subjected to upon impact with another vehicle or a stationary object. The force of an abrupt stop is traumatic on a vehicle occupant’s body.
Delayed-symptom injuries are one reason car crash victims need to obtain a thorough medical evaluation before settling a claim. Many times an insurance adjuster will try to settle a car crash claim quickly after the accident if you tell the adjuster that you have no injuries or only minor injuries. If you settle with the insurance company, the adjuster will typically ask you to sign a general release that waives all past, present, and future claims, which includes claims related to injuries that you do not even know exist. If you suffer a delayed-symptom injury and settle the claim before symptoms become obvious, you might not even receive enough compensation to cover your medical expenses. This can devastate a family financially and even result in bankruptcy.
For example, a compression fracture of the spinal column is a serious delayed-symptom injury that results in a compressed or crushed vertebrae in your back. This is a fairly common injury in rear-end collisions or vehicle crashes involving a non-moving automobile or object. After this type of collision, the car crash victim may simply feel sore at first, but the pain often steadily increases to a debilitating level after a period of time.
Without treatment, delayed injuries can damage the joints, discs, spinal cord, muscles, nerves, and ligaments in your back and/or neck. Your injury can even result in a permanent life-long disability. Prompt medical attention that includes diagnostic scans, such as MRIs. X-rays, CT scans, and other tests often provide compelling evidence regarding the severity and cause of your injuries.
If you or your loved one is injured in a traffic collision, you are invited to contact the experienced Mississippi Car Accident Lawyers at Barrett Law to learn how we can help. Our car crash lawyers have been representing accident victims throughout Mississippi for over 75 years. We offer personalized legal representation and zealous advocacy. We provide a free initial case evaluation so call us today at (800) 707-9577. No Recovery No Fee!