In the immediate aftermath of an accident, an individual may be in shock and it can be difficult to assess what has happened. Instead of worrying about their knee pain or inability to turn their head properly, an accident victim may be more worried about the other driver or calling the police for help. So what exactly should a person do if injury symptoms take hours or days to appear?
Document Everything
One of the most important things that a person can do after a car accident is to document everything that happens in the aftermath. This means taking picture of the crash scene, getting a copy of a police report, and making an initial call to the insurance company. It may also be a good idea to make an appointment to see a doctor or visit an emergency room after the accident occurs.
This could make it easier to prove that you were in an accident and that your injuries were a direct result. In the days after the accident, make sure to document any pain, soreness, or other symptoms that you experience, such as knee pain or pinched nerves in your back or neck. As soon as you experience these or other symptoms, go back to the doctor, like a knee pain doctor in PG County MD, for further treatment.
Talk With An Attorney
As a general rule, it is not a good idea to settle a case before talking to a personal injury attorney. Once a settlement has been reached, an injured victim may not be able to seek additional compensation even if new symptoms emerge. An attorney may be able to help an individual learn more about statutes of limitation that might apply in a personal injury case.
Typically, you have up to three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit, but that timeline may be different based on the entity facing legal action. However, it may still be possible to settle a case outside of court even a suit is filed. It is also important to point out that the case doesn’t need to be resolved in three years, which means that there is plenty of time to resolve the matter in a satisfactory manner.
See a Specialist If Pain Intensifies
If your pain intensifies after an accident, it may be a good idea to seek the help of a medical specialist. Seeing a doctor for knee pain may make it easier to pinpoint the source of the pain and make a plan to eliminate or manage the symptoms. In some cases, it may be possible to resolve the issue through rest or putting ice packs on the impacted area. This strategy may also help with back, neck or other areas of discomfort caused by an accident.
It is important to be on the watch for the signs and symptoms of both physical and mental trauma after an accident. While you may feel fine initially, you could have whiplash, internal bleeding or a knee injury and just not know it yet. Ideally, you will see a doctor, talk to a car accident lawyer and wait several days or weeks before deciding how you want to handle the legal process.
A special thanks to our authors at Pain and Arthritis Relief Center for their insight into injuries that don’t immediately appear after an accident.