Not all injuries are created equal and not all behave the same way. Although there are many injuries that are very obvious right after an accident, such as burns, cuts, broken bones, and severe bruising, there are also many injuries that aren’t noticeable immediately. This can include damaged muscles, hairline fractures in bones, brain injuries, or trauma to certain parts of the body. Always remember to seek immediate medical attention after an accident and following any newly awakened symptoms even weeks or months after the accident to be sure. Never accept a settlement right away until you are sure of the full effects the accident had on your overall health. You have up to four years to file a lawsuit, so there is no immediate rush.
Common Accident Injuries that Do Not Always Immediately Present Themselves to Victims
As mentioned, there are a wide variety of injuries that do not necessarily present symptoms right away. When a person experiences a car accident, their body will secrete special stress hormones called adrenaline and endorphins to send the body into a fight or flight response. This allows a person to be more likely to move and react and survive in a life-threatening situation. These chemicals are known for enhancing one’s mental state and numbing pain. Once these chemicals settle down symptoms of other injuries can show.
Common injuries that do not show immediate, obvious symptoms include:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries
- Soft Tissue Injuries (Muscles, Tendons, and Ligaments)
- Whiplash (Neck-Related Soft Tissue Injury)
- Internal Bleeding
- Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (Psychological Condition)
- Herniated Disc (Spinal Injury)
- Hairline or Stress Fractures (Small Bone Cracks)
- Concussions
- Knee Injuries
- Shoulder and Back Injuries
Getting Thorough Medical Treatment and Examinations Following a Car Accident in West Palm Beach
Because there are many injuries that do not present themselves right away, it is imperative that you seek immediate medical attention after a west palm beach car accident. If you do not, insurance companies can use this against you in the court of law. They will use the fact you did not get treated right away as an excuse to claim that the reason new medical problems presented themselves were due to your own negligence in your care. You do not want this to happen.
It is also important after an accident to seek medical attention even for symptoms that you would usually consider to be a minor thing that would “usually just go away on its own”. This can include symptoms like long lasting headaches, mild aches and pains, swelling of certain body parts, persistent dizziness, blurred vision or hearing issues, or a variety of mental issues such as memory, severe mood changes, and reasoning or logic. It is important to go just in case you are experiences the symptoms of a hidden injury or condition.
Florida Statute of Limitations Exception with ‘Delayed Discovery Rule’ Affects Fort Lauderdale Personal Injury Lawsuits
Although the general rule of thumb in Florida is that you must file a lawsuit within four years of sustaining a personal injury from an accident, there are exceptions to the start date of the “four years”. Usually the start date is the date of the accident. There are, however, exceptions applied to injuries that do not surface right away or are not immediately symptomatic. This is known as the “Delayed Discovery Rule” If days, weeks, or even months later an injury surfaces and is identified by a medical professional, the start date can be moved forward in time to the date of injury discovery and diagnosis.
Contact a Miramar Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Car Accident Injury Case in Florida
Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries due to a vehicle accident in Florida? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at Gonzalez & Cartwright represent clients injured because of car accidents in West Palm Beach, Pembroke Pines, Plantation, Davie, and throughout Florida. Call 561-898-0497 or email us to schedule a free consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 813 Lucerne Ave, Lake Worth, FL 33460, as well as an office in Pompano Beach.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.