If you are involved in a car accident, you may think you are unharmed just because you don’t feel any pain. However, sometimes your injuries may not present themselves until days after the crash. Such injuries include soft tissue damage to muscles, ligaments, and tendons, as well as concussions and whiplash. If you wait to see a doctor, insurance companies will try to prove that the injuries did not result from the crash. With this in mind, you can still pursue compensation for injuries that are not immediately apparent.
Because some injuries may not present symptoms right away, it is important to do 3 things after an accident:
- Seek medical attention. Even if you don’t feel injured, it is important to see your doctor after an accident. A doctor can help determine if there are any tissue injuries or possible conditions that may have a delayed appearance. Thus, even if your injuries don’t present themselves for days or weeks, you have medical records showing that you received attention and treatment right after the accident. This can bolster your argument in court and help you pursue compensation.
- Refuse to sign a release. Insurance companies will try to get you to sign a release of any claims you may have after an accident. However, if you sign the release, you will have no legal right to compensation, even if your injuries appear days or weeks later. Thus, it is important to hold off on signing the release until you have seen your doctor to make sure you don’t have any injuries that may become apparent later on.
- Wait long enough for your injuries to appear. You can talk to you doctor to determine how long you should wait. Depending on the situation, you may have to wait a few days or weeks just to make sure you don’t suffer any long-term conditions. Some injuries, like concussions, have subtle symptoms that often do not appear for hours or days. These include headaches, blurred vision, trouble concentrating, dizziness, nausea, and lack of energy. By talking to your physician, you can understand how long to wait until signing the insurance release. That way, even if your symptoms don’t appear until long after the accident, you can still pursue the compensation you deserve.
Dedicated Representation for Car Accident Victims in Philadelphia
With more than 80 years of combined experience, Shrager, Sachs, & Blanco has guided hundreds of clients to successful legal solutions. If you have been injured in a car accident, we can discuss your options, gather evidence, and represent you aggressively in court. Our Philadelphia car accident attorneys are passionate about helping clients achieve the financial settlement they deserve for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. We can provide diligent, thorough legal services as you seek compensation.
Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your case.