The Dangers of Delayed Injury Symptoms After a Car Accident

The Dangers of Delayed Injury Symptoms After a Car Accident

Key Takeaways

• Adrenaline is the main reason you may have delayed symptoms after a car accident: The adrenaline the body produces after a traumatic event can lead to delayed symptoms, like after a car crash, because it masks pain.
• Common symptoms that indicate hidden injuries after a car accident include headaches, neck or back pain, numbness or tingling, and emotional changes: These symptoms may be imperceptible at first, but develop into debilitating pain over days or weeks.
• To qualify for your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits, you must get medical treatment within 14 days of the accident: This becomes a problem when you are dealing with a hidden injury, which is why you should always seek medical care after a car accident in Florida, regardless of whether you are experiencing symptoms.

Delayed injury symptoms after a car accident can cost victims thousands in settlement recovery. You could walk away from a car accident feeling fine, only to days or weeks later develop debilitating symptoms. 

But that time you didn’t spend getting medical treatment means you missed out on your insurance benefits. Also, it puts you in a worse position for arguing a personal injury claim. The defendant’s insurance company will argue that your lack of immediate medical treatment proves that your symptoms aren’t actually bad. 

They will use this as an excuse for not giving you the settlement you deserve. Don’t fall into this trap; if you were injured in a car accident through no fault of your own, seek medical attention, even if your symptoms seem minor. 

Why Some Injury Symptoms After A Car Accident Don’t Appear Immediately

There are a few reasons why some injuries don’t appear immediately after an accident, primarily adrenaline. The adrenaline the body produces after a traumatic event can lead to delayed symptoms, like after a car crash, because it masks pain. 

Also, some symptoms after a car accident may not be readily apparent because of the type of injury. Soft tissue injuries can take time to appear because conditions like sprains, strains, and bruises often develop gradually as inflammation sets in. 

Similarly, internal injuries are hidden, and damage to the organs, muscles, or blood vessels may not cause noticeable pain at first. In that same vein, symptoms of a brain injury can be subtle, almost imperceptible at first, but can worsen over time.

Common Symptoms of Delayed Car Accident Injuries to Watch For

Common symptoms after a car accident that indicate hidden injuries in Florida include headaches, neck or back pain, numbness or tingling, and emotional changes.

• Headaches: Continual or worsening headaches can be a sign of a concussion or head injury.
• Neck or back pain: Feelings of soreness or stiffness in the neck or back can be signs of whiplash and develop into persistent pain over time.
• Numbness or tingling: Such sensations, especially when they are felt in the arms, legs, hands, and feet, can be signs of nerve damage or a possible spinal cord injury.
• Emotional changes: Like headaches, emotional changes can be a sign of a concussion or head injury.

These symptoms may be imperceptible at first, but develop into debilitating pain over days or weeks. 

How Delayed Treatment Impacts Your Injury Claim

Before you register a vehicle with at least four wheels in Florida, you must show proof of Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and Property Damage Liability (PDL) car insurance. PIP insurance covers 80 percent of all reasonable medical expenses up to the coverage limits resulting from a covered injury, regardless of who caused the auto accident. 

The minimum amount of coverage drivers are required to carry is $10,000, and many only carry the minimum. So, if you are injured in a crash, you will likely be relying on your PIP coverage to pay your medical bills, assuming the cost does not exceed your coverage. 

But, there is a catch: in order to qualify for your PIP benefits, you must get medical treatment within 14 days of the accident. This becomes a problem when you are dealing with hidden injury symptoms after a car accident in Florida. 

You could have no symptoms after a car accident, only to have some appear later. By that time, you no longer qualify to get your PIP benefits.

Then, suppose you hope to bring a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver. In that case, it will appear weak because you waited to get medical attention, and the at-fault party’s insurance company will use that to argue that your injuries aren’t actually serious and that you shouldn’t get a payout. 

When to See a Doctor After an Accident

Always seek out and maintain your medical treatment after an incident to rule out any delayed injury symptoms after a car accident, even if you feel fine. After all, your health is what’s most important. Also, it is important that you stay within that 14-day timeline so you don’t lose out on your PIP benefits.

If you were injured and have symptoms after a car accident, and it happened through no fault of your own, call Hancock Injury Attorneys today at 813-915-1110. We will help you explore your legal options moving forward to help you have the smoothest recovery possible and hold the at-fault party responsible for their wrongdoing.  

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