If you have been involved in a car accident in Washington, you may experience delayed symptoms after a car accident. Late-appearing car accident injuries are often overlooked, and you may be tempted to procrastinate when it comes to seeking medical care. However, even if your car accident symptoms are delayed, it is crucial that you take the necessary steps to check for injuries and get medical attention.
At NBF Accident Law, our auto accident attorneys in Washington can help you navigate the aftereffects of getting into a car accident. Our attorneys help those seeking legal representation by assisting in filing a thorough personal injury claim, gathering evidence, and negotiating a compensation amount to help you cover your medical costs.
Why Are Symptoms After a Car Accident Delayed?
You may be wondering how long after a car accident, symptoms can appear regarding car accident injuries. The reality is that many car accident injuries will not become apparent for several hours or even several days after the accident has occurred. There are many reasons why this happens, with the most common reason being that you are experiencing a rush of adrenaline.
Adrenaline is a chemical that gives you a boost of energy and awareness that can help you power through painful or shocking situations. Adrenaline can be very useful in emergencies, such as being involved in a car accident, but it can also work against you. Adrenaline can delay pain, making it difficult to fully understand just how badly you are injured.
Another chemical that can give you a false sense of well-being after being involved in a car accident is endorphins. Endorphins are a chemical response that helps block pain, acting very similarly to painkillers. This can make it very difficult to understand how badly you are injured, especially if your injuries are internal.
Many car accident injuries are also musculoskeletal in nature, which can result in significantly delayed symptoms. These injuries are internal and can take several days or even weeks before you start to feel any symptoms. Unfortunately, these types of injuries can also be some of the more severe injuries that can lead to long-term complications.
Common Car Accident Injuries That Have Delayed Symptoms
Delayed symptoms after a car accident should never be ignored as this could indicate a more serious problem. Some of the most severe car accident injuries are internal, which can make it impossible to know if you are injured unless you get medical attention. Some car accident injuries that often have delayed symptoms include:
- Concussion
- Internal bleeding
- Spinal injuries
- Whiplash
- Brain injuries
- Blood clots
Some delayed symptoms that you need to be aware of and watch out for include things like headaches, neck pain, abdominal pain, back pain, emotional changes, numbness or tingling. These could all be symptoms of one of the above injuries and often require immediate medical attention.
Why You Need to Get Medical Care After a Car Accident in Washington
One of the many reasons to get a lawyer after a car accident is if you have been injured and want to file a personal injury claim. Things like medical treatments, medication, and emergency care can all result in extensive medical bills, which you need to pay for in some way. You can sue after a car accident by filing a personal injury lawsuit, which can help you get the compensation you need to make a full recovery.
No matter how severe or minimal the car accident is, you always need to get medical care just to be safe. This is critical for spotting severe injuries that may have delayed symptoms, such as a concussion, spinal injury, or internal bleeding. Getting medical care is also critical for documenting your injuries so that you have a substantial personal injury case.
It can be more difficult to prove your injuries after a car accident if you delay getting medical care. You need to include evidence such as medical bills, doctors notes, x-rays, or scans.
How Long Can I Sue After a Car Accident in Washington?
In the state of Washington, the statute of limitation for personal injury claims due to car accidents is three years in most circumstances. This gives you plenty of time to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, it is highly recommended that you file your lawsuit as soon as possible for the best chance of getting a larger settlement amount.
How long after an accident you file a lawsuit can have an impact on whether or not it is accepted and the amount of compensation you can receive. For instance, you will have more evidence regarding your injuries directly after the accident, and there will be less speculation regarding what caused the injuries.
There are some exceptions to the statute of limitations for personal injury cases related to car accidents that you should be aware of. One of the exceptions applies to minors, allowing them to file a claim three years after their 18th birthday. The discovery rule in Washington also enables you to file a claim for the latent onset of injuries in specific cases.
You should always take the additional step of hiring a personal injury attorney in Washington who can help you create a substantial case. They can help you file your claim, gather essential pieces of evidence, and act as your advocate so that you do not accept a lowball settlement offer.
Contact an Auto Accident Attorney at NBF Accident Law
There are many serious injuries that may take the form of delayed symptoms after a car accident. Because of this, it is easy to overlook these injuries and not get the medical care that you need, which can ultimately hurt your personal injury lawsuit.
At NBF Accident Law, our car accident lawyers will fight purposefully and tirelessly to help you get the compensation you need to aid in your recovery. We will help you file a strong claim, gather crucial pieces of evidence, and act as your advocate when negotiating with insurance providers.
Contact us today at 206-923-8888 to schedule a consultation with one of our attorneys in Washington.
