When you’ve been in a car or motorcycle accident in Colorado, you may feel your injuries immediately or you may feel just fine. But all accidents are traumatic to the victim in some way. They can cause emotional, mental, and physical symptoms. However, in many cases, you could experience delayed symptoms which may not show up until several days after an accident has occurred.
Delayed symptoms are significant for several reasons. Your body’s stress response will cause endorphins to be released, which can mask the pain and severity of any injuries. In other words, you may not realize you were injured at all until days later. Over time, as the endorphins in your body begin to dissipate, you can begin to feel pain and discomfort.
It’s very important that you do not sign a release of settlement or any other paperwork from your insurance company before contacting a personal injury attorney in Denver. Signing a release can result in your having to pay for your medical bills without any assistance because, once you sign a release, you cannot return to your insurer for coverage.
Even what seems to be a minor accident can result in significant delayed injury. There are several common symptoms which can appear long after an accident has occurred:
Whiplash is a serious injury that occurs following a rear-end collision. It is a condition that can occur at very low speeds, and it can materialize in a number of ways. Symptoms of whiplash include vertigo, headaches, and arm and shoulder stiffness.
A concussion is another common delayed symptom of accidents requiring medical attention. Concussions can affect multiple neural pathways in the body, causing numbness in the extremities as well as muscle spasms and weakness. Some of the symptoms associated with concussions include nausea, headaches, loss of balance, and amnesia.
Headaches represent yet another delayed symptom which can occur after an accident. Any headaches that develop should be assessed immediately by a physician, as blood clots can sometimes form. This can be potentially fatal if left unchecked. Additionally, headaches are a symptom of whiplash and concussions.
Because many other symptoms can manifest besides those mentioned above, it’s incredibly important that you receive a full and thorough examination from your doctor. They will also be able to tell you how long you should wait for symptoms to appear. Once the evaluation is completed and all of your symptoms have been documented, you can take legal action. Talking to a personal injury attorney in Denver can help you throughout this process.
Following an accident, it’s a good idea to contact a lawyer for advice. While an attorney cannot direct your medical care, they can advise you on the importance of seeking medical care and the documentation of all of your recovery process. For example, you will need to be able to demonstrate that you only experienced your symptoms following the accident and not before. This distinction will be important to the success of your case.
A knowledgeable Denver car accident lawyer like The Bendinelli Law Firm can help; call 720-457-6833 or 1-800-ATTORNEY today for more information.
