You are on your way to work, ready to conquer the day. But suddenly, a car rams right into yours. Surprisingly, though, you feel okay. You just feel lucky to be alive.
However, a few weeks later, you no longer feel okay. You begin to feel some new aches and pains — signs that the accident you thought you were over is coming back to haunt you in a new way. Fortunately, if the auto wreck was the result of another driver’s negligence, it is within your rights to seek compensation for your injuries and pain and suffering.
What types of pain may be delayed?
It is not uncommon for pain associated with a car wreck to not become present until weeks, or even months, after the unfortunate incident. Sometimes an accident victim does not find out that he or she has a severe injury until long after the crash has occurred.
Various types of injuries may end up presenting themselves well after a collision. These include the following:
- Abdominal pain: If you feel pain in your stomach area, getting medical attention right away is critical. These types of soft-tissue injuries may be serious or even fatal.
- Numbness: If you feel numb or weak in your limbs, a herniated disc may be pressing up against or pinching nerves in your spine.
- Back pain: If you have pain in your back, particularly the lower area, you might have suffered whiplash in the accident. However, back pain may also indicate muscle damage, a sprain or a herniated disc. It might additionally be a sign of pinched nerves if you also feel tingling.
- Headaches: A headache may point to whiplash, a neck injury, a brain injury or a concussion. It might even be a sign of a blood clot.
- Shoulder and neck pain: Discomfort in these areas is typically an indicator that you have suffered whiplash or may have even developed injury to your spinal cord, such as in the form of a herniated disc.
Delayed emotional effects of car accident
In addition to causing you physical pain, a car accident may ultimately lead to emotional suffering and pain for you. After all of the initial chaos following the accident dies down, you might experience post-traumatic stress disorder, depression or anxiety. This may be tied to the accident itself, or it may stem from your physical injuries. In addition, a brain injury could result in personality changes or emotional pain.
Your rights following the motor vehicle crash
As a victim of another driver’s carelessness, you have the right to seek compensation by filing a personal injury claim in a Texas civil court. It may be in your best interest to wait until your doctor indicates you have reached the point of maximum medical improvement. In this situation, you likely will not discover any new injuries, so you can confidently pursue the maximum amount of compensation to which are you are entitled.