How Long After An Accident Can Injuries Show Up?

Getting in a car accident or other accident is scary. Even a minor fender bender or slip and fall can send your heart racing and make you worry about the consequences. When the accident is serious, not only are emotions even more heightened, but the situation can lead to medical issues, financial stress, and more. It can be difficult to think logically, but it’s important to address any obvious or potential injuries, even if you think you feel fine. It’s quite common for people to experience delayed injury symptoms after an accident and ignoring them can lead to problems down the road.

How Long After an Accident Can Injuries Show Up?

There is no hard and fast answer to this question and car accident injuries vary by each scenario. Some injuries are obvious and immediate, while others can take days, weeks, or even years to manifest.

Why Injuries May Show Up After an Accident

Delayed injuries after an accident are caused by a combination of physiological and psychological factors. Here are some reasons why these injuries might not be immediately apparent:

• Adrenaline and Endorphins: During a traumatic event like a car accident, your body releases adrenaline and endorphins. These chemicals are natural painkillers and can mask pain and discomfort for hours, or even days, after the incident.
• Gradual Development of Symptoms: Again, there’s no rule on how long after an accident injuries can show up. Some symptoms, due to their physiological nature, develop gradually over time as the body reacts to the trauma of the accident. These include:
  • Soft tissue injuries, such as those to muscles, tendons, and ligaments, might not be immediately apparent. Inflammation and bruising can slowly develop, leading to delayed pain and stiffness.
  • Internal Injuries: Internal injuries, including internal bleeding or organ damage, can be life-threatening but not immediately obvious. Symptoms like abdominal pain, dizziness, or fainting may take time to manifest.
  • Brain Injuries: Concussions or other traumatic brain injuries may not show symptoms immediately. Cognitive, emotional, and neurological symptoms can be hard to recognize and evolve gradually.
• Psychological Trauma: The psychological trauma of a car accident can also lead to delayed symptoms. Conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or anxiety may take time to appear and could qualify as pain and suffering (a type of non-economic damage) in a suit.
• Pre-existing Conditions: Individuals with pre-existing conditions might not immediately attribute new or worsening symptoms to the accident.

Understanding these factors underscores the importance of monitoring your health closely after a car accident, even if you feel fine initially.

Common Delayed Injury Symptoms

How do you know if you have a minor scratch or a major injury? You don’t, which is why it’s strongly recommended that you seek medical attention both immediately after the accident and in the days following. Harm can manifest in countless ways, but some of the common delayed injury symptoms to watch for include:

• Headaches: They can appear several days after the accident and might indicate a concussion, neck injury, or even blood clots.
• Neck or Shoulder Pain and Stiffness: This is often a sign of whiplash or a spinal injury.
• Back Pain: This could be caused by damage to the muscles, ligaments, nerves, or vertebrae.
• Abdominal Pain or Swelling: These symptoms can be serious, as they may indicate internal bleeding.
• Numbness in Arms or Hands: This could be a sign of spinal column or neck injury.
• Changes in Personality or Physical Function: These could indicate a traumatic brain injury.
• PTSD: This disorder is not uncommon after severe car accidents.

To reiterate, go to your doctor or an urgent care center, even if you feel unharmed. Some injuries may not be immediately apparent but can have serious consequences if left untreated.

How To Prove Injuries Appeared After the Accident

If you decide to pursue a personal injury claim, your legal team will need to establish a clear connection between the accident and your symptoms. They may use medical records, expert testimony, and other evidence to prove that your injuries are the result of the accident.

Here are some steps you can take to help establish your case:

• Seek Medical Attention Promptly: Immediately after the accident, get checked out by a doctor. As soon as you notice symptoms, go back to the doctor. This creates a medical record linking your symptoms to the car wreck. Delay in seeking treatment can be used against you, suggesting that the injury might not be related to the accident.
• Document Everything: Keep a detailed record of your symptoms, noting when they began, their severity, and how they affect your daily life. This documentation can be crucial in demonstrating the impact of the injury.
• Follow Medical Advice: Adhering to your doctor's treatment plan is essential. Skipping appointments or not following treatment recommendations can weaken your claim.
• Gather Evidence From the Accident: This includes police reports, witness statements, photos from the accident scene, and any other relevant documentation.
• Keep Records of Expenses and Lost Wages: Document all expenses related to your injury (medical bills, medication, therapy, etc.) and any lost wages if you’ve been unable to work.
• Consult With a Personal Injury Attorney: An experienced attorney who specializes in these cases will be able to guide you through the entire process, and will lead the efforts to gather evidence, negotiate with insurance companies, and represent you in court if necessary.
• Be Consistent in Statements: Be consistent in your statements to your doctor, insurance companies, and in any legal proceedings. Inconsistencies can be used to challenge the credibility of your claim.

While there is no timeframe for how long after an accident injuries can show up, it’s important to note that there is a two-year statute of limitations on personal injury cases in Oklahoma. This means you typically have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit.

Do You Have a Claim?

GT Law Firm has spent decades successfully handling personal injury claims for our clients. We have deep expertise with assessing and building cases, proving delayed injuries were caused by car accidents, and guiding our clients through each step of the claim process. To find out if you have a case, book a free evaluation with us.