Delayed Onset Car Accident Injuries: What They Are and What Can I Do to Get Help?

Any car accident is a traumatic event. Even fender benders involve a lot of force — to say nothing of the financial and emotional stakes they often have.

If the accident seems minor, many have the inclination to leave it in the past. Unfortunately, this impulse can sometimes do more harm than good.

Injuries are sometimes masked by adrenaline at the accident scene. In other situations, it takes a long time for the injury to manifest. This is a common feature of car accidents, which unfortunately puts the burden on the victim.

If you suspect this may be the case for you or a loved one, contact the Pennsylvania car accident attorneys at Richard Hollawell & Associates today. They have decades of experience with similar situations, which can be an enormous help if you’re navigating this for the first time.

Source: Unsplash, photo by Clark Van Der Beken

The Most Common Delayed Onset Injuries

Some delayed onset injuries are masked by the car accident. After the adrenaline has worn off, injury sufferers will often be left with pain and physical injuries that went undetected at the scene.

Other injuries aren’t hidden as much as they are progressive. Some lay in between. Here are the most common injuries to watch for:

• Birth injuries. Pregnant women are responsible for two lives. Their unborn child can’t speak for itself — which makes the possibility of injury even more deserving of attention.
• Brain injuries. Traumatic brain injuries run the gamut from concussions to impact-related types like a coup contrecoup. They can remain hidden for years, and feature hard-to-identify symptoms like behavior change.
• Defective product injuries. Consumer protection is determined by the existence and severity of injury. If an airbag or seatbelt malfunctions in an accident, it’s scary. If it causes an injury, you may have a case.
• Spinal cord injuries. Spinal injuries are notoriously hard to pin down — and can affect everything from mobility to sexual function. One of the most common delayed onset injuries in this category is whiplash.

Symptoms of a Concussion

Concussions are caused by the impact of the brain against the side of the skull, and can be very serious. When they are not detected and appropriately treated, they can become more serious and even life-threatening.

What’s more, symptoms often don’t show up immediately. Watch out for the following warning signs:

• Abnormal sleep patterns
• Blurry vision
• Clouded thinking
• Difficulty remembering new information
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Inability to concentrate
• Lack of energy
• Nausea
• Personality changes

Symptoms of Spinal Cord Injuries

The spinal cord spans from your neck to waist, and governs most of the rest of your body as well. When something goes wrong with it, it can be unpredictable.

If you detect any of the following symptoms, be extra vigilant about spinal cord injury possibilities.

• Back pain
• Bladder and bowel problems
• Blurred vision
• Breathing problems
• Circulatory problems
• Depression
• Hypertension
• Limited range of motion
• Loss of sexual function 
• Nerve pain
• Numbness
• Pneumonia
• Pressure sores/ulcers
• Soreness
• Spasticity 
• Stiffness
• Swelling
• Tingling

See a Doctor Immediately

Regardless of whether or not you think you were injured in a car accident, it’s crucial to consult with a doctor. They can better diagnose the possibility of injury, as well as give advice on red flags to watch out for.

If you end up making any sort of injury claim, the fact that you consulted with a doctor soon after the injury will be important.

Source: Unsplash, photo by Taisiia Shestopal

Beware the Statute of Limitations

Although filing suit may seem like a secondary concern when dealing with your health, both New Jersey and Pennsylvania law state that car injury cases must be filed within two years from the date of injury, with very limited exceptions.

Other states set their statutes of limitations as short as one year for such cases.

When to Consult with an Experienced Car Accident Attorney

At Richard Hollawell and Associates, we have over 20 years of experience in litigating all forms of accident injury cases. We take all accident injury cases on a contingency basis, and will only charge you attorney fees if we are able to obtain financial compensation for your losses. 

Millions travel through the country safely every day. However, if you are among the unlucky ones whose lives are derailed by an accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. If you or your family have suffered an injury while traveling in your own transportation or as a passenger, fill out our form or call us directly at 1-800-681-3550, to get some of New Jersey’s top car accident lawyers on your side.