Auto Accident Injuries May Not Surface Until Months Later

Drivers, passengers, and pedestrians involved in car accidents often sustain injuries from such collisions. While broken bones, bleeding, and trauma are quickly identified and treated, these injuries can be followed by latent conditions that arise weeks and even months later. Unfortunately, many of these injuries with delayed onsets can be quite severe and debilitating.

For example, the stiffness, numbness, aches and sores experienced from a soft tissue injury caused by whiplash may not present for long after the accident. Side effects from concussions can be delayed just the same. And even traumatic brain injuries may take weeks or months to become readily apparent. Testing for these kinds of hidden or later-stage injuries using x-rays, MRIs, and CAT scans is difficult and sometimes impossible.

More insidious, however, are the emotional injuries, including:

•  Mental anguish, fear, and anxiety
• Depression
• Acute stress disorder
• Post-traumatic stress disorder

These conditions frequently manifest themselves in the form of anger, loss of appetite, weight fluctuations, lack of energy, disrupted sleep patterns, sexual dysfunction, and mood swings that can require ongoing medical or psychological treatment, but which may not be evident until days, weeks, or months later.

Regardless of when one experiences symptoms of auto accident-related injuries, the impact can be devastating. The time and expense of ongoing medical treatment goes beyond doctor and hospital bills, medication costs, and therapy – it can also include lost wages and earning potential, along with other emotional and financial burdens on the victim’s family.

The personal injury attorneys at Sommers Schwartz can help you pursue damages for the injuries you suffer in a car accident. Please contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your situation.