Why It’s Worse to Wait – Car Accidents and Delayed Injuries

Why it's Worse to Wait - Car Accidents and Delayed Injuries

Sometimes after a car accident, personal injuries to the person involved do not always present themselves right away. Because of this, the injured party might ignore the recommendation of getting checked out at a hospital and just leave the scene. This may seem like a good idea for a way to avoid ambulance fees, but ignoring personal injuries is not. Many personal injuries that might have dormant symptoms at first tend to be the ones that worsen over time.

Whiplash and Concussions

When a car hits another object at a fast speed, it is very likely that the driver will experience some type of blow to the head or neck upon contact. If it is not a fatal accident and the driver stays conscious, then they might not feel their symptoms right away. However, just because they do not feel any injuries right away, does not mean they should not get checked.

For example, two million people experience a whiplash injury due to car accidents each year1. According to Mayo Clinic, whiplash symptoms can be delayed and worsen over time. People of older age, who have had existing back or neck pain, or previous whiplash injuries, can worsen the person’s outcome.

Concussions are easier to catch, but some people may dismiss their symptoms for just a headache or shock. These initial symptoms are easy to push aside and ignore, but concussions are not something that should be left untreated. Undetected concussions could cause more permanent damage to the brain, such as Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, or CTE, which is a brain disease caused from previous brain trauma.

When it’s Too Late to Take Action

Just like injuries, it is always better to take immediate action after an accident rather than wait for too long. In the state of Rhode Island, the injured party has up to three years to file a lawsuit with a personal injury lawyer, as it states in Title 9, Ch. 1, Sec. 9-1-14. Knowing this, it is imperative to meet with a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.

Contact Us Today

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident do not hesitate to call the Bottaro Law Firm, LLC for the legal counsel you deserve. Our experienced legal team is ready to fight for your rights. Call us at 401-777-7777 or fill out our free and confidential online form.

1: Bradford, Alina. “Whiplash: Symptoms & Treatment.” Live Science. April 27, 2016. Accessed May 15, 2018. https://www.livescience.com/54566-whiplash.html.