Car accidents obviously inflict a wide range of injury types and severities on those involved in the accident, some minor, others far more serious. A car accident is generally considered a minor collision if:
– Those involved are able to drive away from the accident scene.
– There’s minimal physical damage to the vehicles involved.
– No one is injured in the accident.
However, though a car accident may be considered a “minor” collision based on the above criteria, it can still cause serious injuries, and these injuries might not be fully apparent at the time of the accident.
Some car accident injuries are immediately apparent, hence treatable directly following the incident, whereas others do not typically manifest until well after an injury occurs. This can be a problem for some claimants as it gives respondent insurance companies an opportunity to delay or even deny a personal injury claim as frivolous or unrelated to the accident when they are reported late. In this article, our car accident attorney looks at 5 of the most common delayed injuries that might appear in an individual involved in a car crash.
1. Whiplash
A common injury in motor vehicle collisions that tends to develop late or at least show signs of development at some time after an accident, is whiplash. It 
can manifest in different regions of the body based on the directional impact of the vehicle that the victim was riding in and in varying degrees of severity. Whiplash generally happens to the upper torso, and the strain can range from the neck to the middle of the back in extreme situations. Proving a whiplash can be difficult, since there are often no outward signs of an injury, so it is based almost entirely on the word of the accident victim, but an experienced car accident attorney will understand how best to prove a case of whiplash in an auto collision.
2. Concussions
The next most common delayed reaction injury is a low to moderate grade concussion. Concussions happen quite frequently in auto collisions and are not always apparent at the time of the accident, particularly when no medical treatment is administered at the scene. A concussion can lead to headaches and mental confusion which might manifest days or even weeks after the accident. What appears to be a benign bump on the head can often be much worse than initially thought, and much worse than initially reported in the accident claim.
3. Back Injuries
Back injuries are often delayed response injuries. Pinched nerves in the spine or pulled muscles in the lower back are common injuries with late-developing 
symptoms. It is essential to see a doctor as soon as possible if you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms:
- Reduced mobility occurring in the legs or upper body
- Muscle spasms
- Body stiffness
- Discomfort or pain when walking, standing, or sitting
- Numbness or tingling in the arms or legs.
- Difficulty or pain when stretching or reaching
- Loss of sensation in the arms or legs
Fractures, dislocation, and compression injuries are all common forms of back injuries that occur frequently in motor vehicle accidents. They can increase in severity over time, thus making it difficult to assess the need for ongoing medical treatment at the time of any insurance claim. An attorney experienced in handling motor vehicle accidents has knowledge of these types of injuries and can ensure that you’re adequately compensated for ongoing medical treatment.
4. Internal Bleeding
One of the most serious delayed reaction injuries from an automobile accident is any form of internal bleeding. Whilst this will tend to manifest quite quickly following an accident, that isn’t always the case.
5. PTSD
Post-traumatic stress disorder is usually associated with a concussion, but not always. It can impact memory function and have a long-term impact on mental
health. It isn’t necessary for the victim to suffer a head injury for PTSD to develop. It can often take weeks or months for PTSD symptoms to develop, making it difficult to connect the symptoms back to the specific accident.
All auto insurance companies will use their legal resources to attempt to dismiss any delayed reaction injury as being part of the claim. An attorney can make sure that the accident victim is properly compensated for his or her injuries, including those that might manifest beyond the initial accident. To learn more, call Kellum Law Firm today to schedule a case review with one of our attorneys.
“We’re With You All The Way”
Call 1-800-ACCIDENT
