The full impact of a car accident may not be immediately apparent. Some injuries, such as concussions, have delayed onset symptoms.
This is a significant consideration in a personal injury claim, because you may feel pressure to accept an early settlement before the extent of your injuries is fully understood. If more serious conditions are later diagnosed, you may have already resolved the claim and released the at-fault party from further liability, preventing additional recovery.
At Buchanan, Williams, & O’Brien, our Missouri car accident lawyers are well-versed in the consequences of car accident injuries. By thoroughly documenting your medical condition, including diagnostic findings, treatment history, and the impact on your daily functioning, we can pursue compensation that accounts for both the immediate effects of the injury and any ongoing or long-term limitations it may cause.
Signs Your Injury May Be More Serious Than It First Appears
If you have been in a car accident and the only symptoms you feel are mild stiffness and soreness, you might assume they will resolve on their own. However, car crashes cause spikes in adrenaline that can mask pain. This is why it is crucial to pay close attention to warning signs of symptoms after a car accident, as they may indicate more serious and long-lasting medical consequences.
Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), including concussions, are frequently overlooked because they often have symptoms which may appear gradually and worsen over time, including:
- Frequent headaches
- Dizziness
- Difficulty keeping your balance
- Nausea or vomiting
- Confusion, brain fog, or difficulty concentrating
- Lapses in memory
- Sensitivity to light or noise
- Mood changes, irritability, or unusual fatigue
If these symptoms linger or intensify days after an accident, they may point to a more serious neurological injury that requires prompt evaluation.
Back Injuries
Back injuries can range from mild discomfort to severe, debilitating pain. Conditions such as herniated discs, spinal misalignment, or nerve compression may not be immediately apparent and can worsen over time without proper diagnosis and treatment.
Pain radiating into the hips or legs, numbness or tingling, muscle weakness, and limited mobility may indicate nerve involvement or a more serious underlying spinal condition. If left untreated, these injuries can lead to chronic pain and long-term impairments that affect your ability to work and participate in daily activities.
Neck Injuries
Neck injuries are well known for delayed symptoms. What begins as stiffness or soreness may later develop into chronic neck pain, persistent headaches, shoulder pain, or reduced range of motion. Sharp pain with movement, increasing stiffness, or tingling and numbness in the arms or hands may indicate more serious conditions such as herniated discs, cervical sprains or strains, nerve compression, or other spinal injuries that require prompt medical evaluation.
Other Injuries
Internal injuries, joint damage, and soft-tissue injuries elsewhere in the body can also worsen over time. Abdominal pain, swelling, deep bruising, joint instability, or pain that disrupts sleep may indicate underlying damage that is not immediately apparent.
When symptoms persist, worsen, or interfere with daily life, it is often a sign that your injury is more serious than it seemed at first. This is why it is so important to seek a thorough medical evaluation after suffering any injury, even a seemingly minor one, in a car accident.
Talk to a Lawyer Who Knows What Your Claim Is Worth
While seeking prompt medical attention is your priority after suffering a car accident injury, consulting with a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer is also essential. At Buchanan, Williams, & O’Brien, our car accident lawyers have obtained millions of dollars in compensation for people in Joplin, St. Louis, Springfield, and throughout Missouri.
Insurance companies often seek to resolve claims quickly to minimize their financial exposure. A personal injury claim is typically resolved through a signed settlement agreement and release. As noted, once you sign it and accept settlement funds, the at-fault party is generally discharged from further liability. As a result, additional compensation generally cannot be pursued later, even if the injury worsens or new symptoms emerge.
The sooner we begin investigating and developing your claim, the better positioned we are to preserve evidence and document the full extent of your injuries, including both the immediate and long-term consequences.
Contact Us for a Free Consultation
If you have suffered a car accident injury caused by a reckless driver or other negligent party, our Missouri car accident lawyers are here to help you pursue compensation for your losses. Contact us today to arrange a free, no-obligation consultation with an experienced member of our legal team. No fees unless we win.