If you’ve encountered a car crash in San Diego and think you are fine because there are no major pains, you might want to rethink this. You shouldn’t overlook the chances of delayed onset injuries and must consult a car accident attorney.
In 2022, there were 12,838 traffic crashes reported in San Diego County that resulted in 285 fatalities and 17,386 injuries. Close to 29.3% were rear-end crashes that caused whiplash and other delayed and hidden injuries. Hence, even when some crash-related wounds take time to show up, some injuries can take time to develop. Hence, there is a need for both medical and legal guidance.
Understanding delayed onset injuries
Simply put, these injuries might not get revealed instantly or for a few hours after a crash. However, they might start to show up after weeks and sometimes close to a month. A few examples here include:
- Soft tissue damage and whiplash.
- Concussions and head injuries can start showing up as dizziness, confusion, and mild headaches.
- Internal bleeding and injuries.
- Psychological injuries, like anxiety, PTSD, that might not show up immediately.
In most cases, shock responses and adrenaline rush right after a crash can cover the pain. It might take time for inflammation or swelling to become visible. If you face a car accident, take the time to nurse your wound and consult a car crash attorney San Diego for guidance.
Importance of early legal and medical intervention
As a layperson, you might not realize the need for legal help along with medical attention at the start. Here are a few factors that you must consider:
- Noting the injury time
To associate your symptoms with the accident, it is helpful to have a medical record from the crash as soon as possible. Even if you feel fine, getting a check-up shows consistency when you start being symptomatic. Courts and insurance don’t go back far enough to see if the treatment began.
- Doing away with insurance pushback
When treatment is delayed, insurance adjusters or opposing entities may argue that the injury was sustained from something other than the wreck itself, thus damaging the claim.
- Assuring complete compensation
Injuries that are delayed will typically result in injuries that will generate more medical costs, possibly more extensive treatment, possibly a longer recovery, lost wages, and possibly long‐term disability. A lawyer can appropriately help to assess damages for future injuries, not just the immediate ones.
- Catering to legal deadlines
In California, you typically have two years from the date of the collision to file a lawsuit for bodily injury claims arising from a car accident. If you take too long to notice or document the injuries, or rise too early with a claim (e.g., signing a release or settlement with an injury down the line), you can limit your ability to recover additional compensation.
Finally, it is also important to preserve credibility. The defense can use any delay in treatment after your accident to argue that your injuries are either unrelated to the accident or not serious. Prompt treatment with continued documentation of your injuries strengthens your credibility. Also, when you work with a lawyer, it helps them to make a compelling case.
Summing it up
San Diego faces several car accidents annually where the victims don’t feel any instant pain. But as time passes, they can feel the impending pain that might develop into something serious. Therefore, you need to take the guidance of an expert car accident lawyer and not underestimate damages and injuries, for which you might need legal compensation.