After a car accident, you may be in shock and flooded with adrenaline—natural responses that help the body cope with trauma. However, these reactions can also mask pain, causing some injuries to go unnoticed at first. Not all injuries are visible, and internal or slowly developing injuries can worsen over time and potentially become chronic if left untreated.
How Long After a Car Accident Can Injuries Appear?
Some injuries may not show up right away and can take hours, days, or even weeks to appear. Factors like the severity of the crash and your body’s adrenaline response can influence when symptoms emerge. It’s important to monitor your health closely in the days and weeks that follow and to see a doctor who can help track your condition and support your recovery.
Why Do Some Injuries Take Time To Appear?
After an accident, our bodies try to protect us in the best way they know how, which can mask injuries initially, and some take time to develop.
After a crash, your body activates its natural stress response, which can temporarily block pain and other symptoms. As this response fades, injuries that were initially hidden may start to cause discomfort hours—or even days—later.
Bruising and damage to muscles and tendons can take time to fully develop. The tenderness and swelling from the accident may take a couple of days before their severity becomes clear. An injury that might start as minor can become chronic, causing persistent pain or mobility issues. It’s vital to seek medical attention even if you don’t think you’ve been harmed after an accident.
If you pursue insurance or legal claims after the accident, having medical records showing that you received treatment after the accident can strengthen your case significantly.
Some Common Delayed Injuries and Symptoms To Watch Out For
You might experience some pain immediately after the crash, but some symptoms can take days to appear. Depending on your health prior to the accident, this can worsen symptoms or increase the severity of injuries.
Suffering from whiplash after an accident causes:
- Neck and upper back tenderness and stiffness
- Loss of mobility in the neck
- Ringing ears
- Tiredness
- Dizziness
Allowing these symptoms to go unaddressed can lead to further health complications or long-term health issues. If you’re experiencing headaches, difficulty with concentration, tiredness or dizziness after the accident, you could be suffering from whiplash or a concussion. If these symptoms continue, you could have post-concussion syndrome, which can last for months. If you also have vision or hearing changes, get medical attention in case of a traumatic brain injury.
Some emergency symptoms to watch for when experiencing delayed pain after a car accident include:
- Extreme back or neck pain and pressure
- Trouble breathing after injury
- Trouble with balance or coordination
- Difficulty concentrating
- Muscle spasms and weakness
- Numbness or tingling in the hands and feet
- Headaches
- Abdominal pain or nausea
- Trouble swallowing or losing your voice
Neck and shoulder pain after an accident could be due to a spinal injury or whiplash. Lower back pain, or numbness and tingling, could be from herniated disks or damaged and pinched nerves. Abdominal pain developing after an accident could be a result of blood clots or other internal injuries, which need urgent attention.
A headache or upset stomach might seem minor, but these could be symptoms of a medical emergency. A minor injury you don’t see can become a chronic pain or illness in the future. Even if you feel fine or uninjured after a vehicle accident, you should get medical help immediately.
When Should You See a Doctor After a Car Accident?
Identifying hidden injuries quickly is crucial to preventing them from worsening, which may only be possible with medical assistance. Seek medical attention right after a vehicle accident, even if you don’t see any injuries.
After the initial check, you should schedule a routine check-up with your primary care doctor within the weeks following the accident, in case any symptoms develop later. If you experience any emergency symptoms, go to an emergency room and get medical attention immediately.
If you’ve been injured and hope to pursue a case, having documentation of doctor visits afterward can strengthen your case. Our motor vehicle accident attorneys at Shamieh Law can use medical records and other evidence to pursue your case, especially if you’re not at fault or have limited fault.
Experiencing pain after an accident, especially if it goes undetected and untreated, can drastically change your life. Injuries can bring many challenges, like medical bills or lifestyle changes, but you don’t need to face these issues alone. Our car accident lawyers at Shamieh Law view our clients as family and will work to get the compensation you need to recover.
Legal Risks of Delayed Injury Symptoms After a Car Accident
Delaying medical treatment after a car accident can hurt your case. Insurance companies may argue that your injuries are unrelated if there’s a gap in care. You could also face unexpected medical costs if symptoms appear after you’ve already accepted a low settlement without exploring your legal options. You shouldn’t worry about whether you can afford the medical bills when you need care.
Keep all medical records from the initial and follow-up appointments. We can use these as evidence to pursue compensation for the accident. After experiencing a car accident and delayed symptoms, our attorneys from Shamieh Law will protect your interests.
Speak To Our Lawyers at Shamieh Law Today
Even if a car accident isn’t terrible or pain isn’t immediate, adrenaline rushes and the nature of the accident can still cause major injuries. Injuries that show up days after an accident can bring more pain during an already stressful and painful time. At Shamieh Law, our car accident lawyers work fast and will quickly start on your case, so you can focus on getting the care you need. Contact our firm today, even if it’s been several months or weeks, or call 469-813-7332.