Delayed Injuries: Why You Shouldn’t Wait To Seek Medical Attention After A Car Accident In Kansas Or Missouri

In this article, you can discover…

• The most common types of delayed injuries in car accidents.
• Why it’s medically dangerous to put off treatment after a car accident.
• How waiting to seek treatment can seriously damage the value of your claim.

What Are The Most Common Delayed Car Accident Injuries?

Common delayed injuries in car accidents include soft tissue injuries, sprains, and brain damage. Accidents can be jarring, and it’s common to get through an accident and initially feel fine. But this doesn’t mean you’re not hurt. The adrenaline released into your system during an accident and the emotional shock of the event often mask pain. When these begin to wear off, you may try to get out of bed three days later and be immobilized by back pain.

Recently, I’ve seen more cases of traumatic brain injuries (also called closed head injuries) occur, but their effects may not be felt for days or weeks. As many as 69% of road accidents result in closed head injuries, and these can occur at speeds as slow as five miles per hour or less.

You see, in car accidents, the body shifts suddenly, and the head is often yanked back and forth while your torso stays in place thanks to your seatbelt. This yanking motion can cause your brain to shift position or make contact with the inside of your head, causing an invisible injury.

Though you may simply feel lethargic, dizzy, or have a headache for a couple of days, what you’ve really experienced is a concussion. Long-term impacts can be serious and may include blurred vision, mood swings, and an increased likelihood of future concussions. Fewer than 10% of these concussions are ever diagnosed, and you could be walking around with a traumatic brain injury and not even realize it.

To help remedy this, I partner with neurologists and phlebotomists who are able to perform a unique blood test (developed by the US military) to determine if you have suffered a concussion. These tests are 98% accurate and can be incredibly helpful in compensating you fully for your injury and its impacts.

Why Is It Dangerous To Delay Medical Treatment After An Auto Accident?

If you delay seeking treatment for an injury, it could easily get worse. I always tell my clients, “All injuries are permanent”. For example, I’ve twisted my ankle many times, meaning these ligaments have been stretched or even broken. They knitted back together, but the damage to my body is permanent. And the longer you put off treatment, the harder it will be to help your body get back to its original strength and health.

Legally, delaying treatment can hurt your case, as the insurance company may argue, “Hey, if this person was really that badly hurt, they would have sought treatment immediately”. They can also use your delay to argue that your injury was caused by something other than your accident, such as lifting your child or working out. It’s always best to seek treatment immediately after your accident.

Attorney Darren Fulcher is a knowledgeable, caring car accident attorney serving Kansas and Missouri. Since 1998, he’s helped clients just like you document their injuries and pursue compensation even when medical treatment has been delayed.

Have questions, or in need of legal help? Get in touch with The Fulcher Law Firm, for an initial consultation today.

Call For A Free Consultation - (816) 203-0005

Can I Still Get Compensation For A Car Accident If I Waited To See A Doctor?

Yes, absolutely. I can help you get a blood test that can accurately indicate markers of a concussion for up to five years after your accident. In other cases, we can help diagnose your injury based on symptoms that were not present before your accident.

This is why it can be helpful to keep a journal after your car accident, dating and documenting your symptoms. Even verbal conversations with your spouse about your symptoms can be helpful in establishing a traumatic brain injury.

How Can A Lawyer Help Link My Delayed Injuries To The Original Accident?

Your attorney can help you establish a timeline of your symptoms based on when the accident occurred and when your medical complaints began. This can help you determine causation and link these injuries and symptoms to your car accident. Your attorney will examine all relevant facts and bring this information to the insurance company or, if need be, to a jury.

Notes From The Field: When Delays In Seeking Medical Help Impact A Case

I have had clients come to me a month or two after their accident, after having never sought treatment. When they begin to seek treatment after living with pain for months, it can be difficult to determine exactly when they were injured. Insurance companies often try to discount such cases.

One such case could have easily been worth $50,000 to $100,000, but the client’s delays in seeking treatment forced us to settle for just $10,000. That’s an up to 90% reduction in damages. In all, it’s best to seek medical attention as soon as possible following an accident, to help ensure your injuries are diagnosed, treated, and documented.

Still Have Questions? Ready To Get Started?

For more information on delayed car accident injuries in Kansas and Missouri, an initial consultation is your next best step. Get the information and legal answers you are seeking by calling (816) 203-0005 today.