CHICAGO, IL – If you’ve been injured in an auto accident, you know not all injuries are made clear immediately. There are many cases where it can take weeks or months for symptoms to manifest. In other cases, an individual may present vague symptoms and wonder if it’s necessary to seek treatment. In a situation like this, it’s always wise to consult with a doctor and consider that you may have delayed injuries from your accident.
How long should I wait for post-accident symptoms?
For some people, injuries appear immediately after a car crash and may linger for weeks. For others, injuries appear overtime and become more noticeable. Either way, you’ll want to monitor yourself for injuries after the accident for the first six to eight weeks.
Look out for persistent or delayed injury symptoms including:
- Memory problems
- Pain in any part of your body
- Stiff neck or shoulders
- Tingling, numbness or weakness in your arms or legs
- Recurring or constant headache
- Memory problems or memory loss
- Problems with vision and hearing
- Fatigue, nausea or sleepiness
Car crash injuries that may have persistent or delayed symptoms include:
- Post-concussion syndrome
- Spinal cord injury
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Spine/backbone injury
- Soft-tissue injury, such as whiplash
- Internal organ damage
- Bone or joint injuries
Without timely treatment, your injuries could get worse. If you think you need to seek medical treatment, go immediately. It’s better to have this documented to help build your personal injury case.
How long do you have until you see a doctor after a car accident?
Some people wait hoping their pain will subside and eventually go away. On the other hand, it’s valuable if you wish to claim compensation after your car accident for your injuries to see a doctor immediately, even if your symptoms are minor. If possible, you should receive medical treatment within 72 hours of your accident. This is the period of time insurance companies deem it “reasonable” for you to visit the doctor.
If you wait too long, the insurance adjuster could downplay your claim asserting that if your injury was as serious as you say it was, you would have sought medical treatment immediately. Likewise, if you skip a treatment, the adjuster could indicate that your injury isn’t as severe as you claim.
If you experience pain after 72 hours, you should still seek medical attention. It will be challenging to pursue a compensation claim, but a competent personal injury lawyer will prove the severity of your injury and assert the compensation you deserve.
Contact a Car Accident Lawyer in Cook County, Illinois
If you were involved in a car accident that wasn’t your fault and were injured due to another’s negligence, you may have the right to seek compensation through an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. You don’t have to handle the legal process alone – the team of trusted auto accident attorneys at the Dinizulu Law Group are here to help you!
Our attorneys advocate for car accident victims and their families who’ve suffered injuries due to another’s negligence. If you believe you have a case or would like to speak to a paralegal, call our office today at (312) 384-1920. We offer free consultations with no obligation. Contact us today!
