Latent Injuries Following A Car Accident
Sometimes when people are injured in a car accident or as a result of another person’s negligence, they make the decision to pursue compensation based on how they feel at the moment. Unless they suffer a major injury, some people do not think that they should seek medical care after an accident. People may decide to forego seeking compensation if they think their medical injuries are covered by their insurance, and they would not want to go through the hassle of a lawsuit or filing with an insurance company. However, injuries sustained in an accident are not always immediately apparent.
Headaches after an accident may be easy to dismiss, especially if they are immediately after the accident because headaches following a head injury are not uncommon. However, headaches may sometimes be a sign of brain injury. The effects of a mild or severe traumatic brain injury may be long term, and a patient may require ongoing medical treatment for a long time after the accident.
Accidents may also cause psychological problems such as post-traumatic stress disorder. Psychological conditions related to an accident may take time to be diagnosed, especially if the injured person does not immediately relate them to the accident and seek the appropriate medical assistance. These problems can affect an injured party’s personal and professional life, causing financial losses as well as pain and suffering.
Medical injuries that are linked to an accident sometimes become worse or decrease the number or activities an injured person may be able to do in the future. A person’s ability to earn the same or greater income may also be decreased following an accident, and recovery for lost wages and loss of earning capacity may be possible depending on the nature of the injuries.
Other injuries, such as concussions, back pain, and whiplash can take some time to manifest and may also cause mild to severe pain, leading to further medical problems. Even after walking away from a car accident, and thinking that all is well, you need to get checked out by a medical professional as soon as possible. Additionally, if you continue to experience symptoms weeks or even months following a car accident, you need to have a follow up visit to ensure that the symptoms are not an indicator of a more severe injury.
Time Is Of The Essence
Failing to seek compensation in a timely manner can lead to an injured person losing their rights. In Florida, a person generally has four years from the date of an accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, the sooner a person seeks compensation, the better. It is easier to get witness testimony and corroborate claims of injury closer to the date of the accident than years later.
Contact A Fort Lauderdale Personal Injury Attorney
If you have suffered an injury as a result of another person’s negligence or in a car accident, you need an experienced personal injury attorney handling your case. Before you decide that you do not need to seek compensation for your injuries, contact a Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorney at Boone & Davis, P.A., for a free consultation today.
