After a car accident, your body is running on adrenaline, which is why many clients say they had no clue the extent of their injuries until well after the accident. Delayed injury symptoms do not appear until days, sometimes weeks after the accident. Left undiagnosed, these injuries can be life-threatening.
Fight or Flight
When we are involved in something traumatic, like a car accident, our body goes into what is known as “fight or flight mode.” We are essentially functioning on survival, and because our bodies are generating so much adrenaline and endorphins after a traumatic event occurs, we may feel perfectly fine immediately after. In fact, you may feel increased energy and even no pain right after an auto accident. However, this lack of pain often creates a false sense that you are completely fine.
Seek Immediate Medical Attention
Many people hesitate to go to the doctor immediately after a car accident, especially if they think their injuries are not severe. We always recommend clients seek immediate medical attention after an Orlando auto accident.
The longer you wait to be seen by a doctor after a car accident, the more difficult it will be to prove that your injuries were in fact caused by the accident. Insurance companies –yes, even your own insurance company, love trying to blame your injuries on a ‘pre-existing’ health or medical condition. It is for this reason that you should seek immediate medical attention so that your injuries can be properly documented and attributed to the accident and not pre-existing conditions.
Another reason you need to seek immediate medical care is the fact that Florida PIP law requires you to obtain medical care within 14 days if you suffer injury in a car accident or your insurance company can deny your claim.
Depending on the severity of your injuries, you may not be able to return to work immediately. During this time, you have the right to be compensated for your lost wages. A personal injury attorney can assist you in providing the correct documentation to file this type of claim.
Soft Tissue Injuries
One of the more common car accident injuries are soft tissue injuries. Think about what happens at the time of impact. Your body receives a sudden and often violent jolt. The force that comes with being struck or striking another vehicle or object can cause a lot of damage to your muscles, tendons and ligaments. Days or weeks after the accident, you may notice yourself feeling sore in certain areas, such as your back or neck, this is often referred to as whiplash. This injury can be tough to diagnose, but it is important you seek medical attention as soon as you begin to feel pain, joint stiffness and discomfort. Left untreated, soft tissue injuries can be debilitating.
Concussions & TBI’s
Some of the most serious injuries that can happen after a car accident are head injuries. A concussion can occur if you hit your head during impact, or if your body is jerked so violently that your brain strikes the inside of your skull with extreme force. Symptoms of concussions do not show up right away, unless a person loses consciousness after an accident.
Common concussion symptoms include headaches, nausea, blurred vision, dizziness, abnormal sleep patterns, trouble focusing, difficulty remembering new information and clouded thinking. If you experience any of these symptoms after a car accident, it is extremely important you seek medical attention immediately. Headaches suffered after a car accident can also indicate a blood clot on the brain has formed, or the neck or head was severely injured. Not seeking treatment for these injuries could result in permanent injury or even death.
If you notice that your personality, memory, vision or hearing has changed since the accident or that you are suffering from depression, this could be an indication you have a traumatic brain injury (TBI). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, car accidents are the third leading cause of traumatic brain injuries or TBIs.
Abdominal Pain or Swelling
You may not notice this symptom until much later, but if you experience abdominal pain or swelling, you should be seen immediately by a doctor. Many times, this can indicate internal bleeding that occurred from impact, and it can be something that remains undiscovered for days after an accident. Not seeking proper medical treatment can put your life at risk.
Emotional Trauma
Car accidents can be extremely traumatizing. Many clients tell us they fear getting behind the wheel again after being involved in an auto accident. Along those same lines, many people will suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD due to the trauma that resulted from the accident. PTSD not only affects the drivers involved but also passengers, especially if the passengers are young children. Never brush these symptoms off as not important and never assume they will go away on their own. Many clients need not only physical therapy, but psychological therapy following the accident.
Take Notes and Know Your Legal Rights after an Orlando Auto Accident.
Keep track of your symptoms as they occur. If anything feels not normal or out of the ordinary, make sure you document that fact and inform your doctor. Do not sign off on any settlement initially offered by your insurance (or the other driver’s) insurance company, before speaking with an attorney, first.
The Benenati Law Firm has recovered millions of dollars for its auto accident victims and their families. Our firm is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In Orlando and throughout Central Florida victims injured in auto accidents or through negligence need only hit the 7s to reach the personal injury offices of the Benenati Law Firm. Our oath to you is handling your case from start to finish effectively, competently, and aggressively. Allow us the opportunity to give you the personal attention you deserve in your case. You pay us nothing unless we win your case. Please do not hesitate to call our office today at 407-777-7777 for a free legal consultation.
Abogado Hispano con experiencia en juicios sirviendo las necesidades legales de la comunidad de la Florida.