According to the National Center for Health Statistics, an estimated 31 million people get injured yearly, under various circumstances, including personal injury accidents. Cuts and broken bones are almost always immediately apparent after an accident. Other injuries may not be as apparent, though. These injuries may not be immediately painful and may not present any signs or symptoms until days, weeks, and even longer after an accident.
In Washington State, personal injury accidents are as present as anywhere else. Fortunately, for those who ever find themselves in a similar situation, a Seattle personal injury law firm will advocate for secure fair compensation for all cases and related damages at the negotiation table and in the courtroom.
Read on to know more about the legal ramifications of personal injury accidents and how you could ensure fair compensation if you’re ever in one.
Why Hidden Injuries?
The body tries to protect you from the trauma of an accident with an adrenaline rush, releasing a sudden surge of adrenaline. This adrenaline rush triggers several self-preservation responses, increasing your body’s pain threshold. The stress-induced analgesic effect will mask your pain and have you mistakenly thinking you’re fine.
Common Hidden Injuries
Several types of injuries may not become apparent until a little later after the accident. Here is a look at 4 of these injuries.
- Whiplash Injuries
Whiplash refers to a range of neck injuries resulting from the sudden, violent back-and-forth jerking of the head, as may happen during head-on collisions. Whiplash injuries can range from minor muscle strains to severe injuries, including nerve damage and fractured vertebrae.
It may take a few hours or days before whiplash injuries become apparent. The injuries usually manifest as painful headaches, typically progressing into shooting pain in the neck, back, and arms.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries
You’ll likely sustain a traumatic brain injury (TBI) when your head strikes against any surface during an accident. This surface can be the steering wheel, side window, or the airbag. The same can happen from your brain being jolted violently in different directions during the accident.
Headaches, dizziness, sleep disturbances, memory loss, light sensitivity, and vision impairment are common symptoms of TBIs. Concussions and brain bleeds are common TBIs, and both can potentially cause severe long-term damage if not addressed properly and in good time.
- Soft Tissue Injuries
You may not realize you have a soft tissue injury until you become physically active. For example, when you try to walk, a torn ligament in your knees will only become apparent after the accident.
It may not seem like it immediately, but knee injuries can be severe. You may need physical therapy; in some cases, the treatment plan may involve surgery. Under these circumstances, recovery may take quite some time, during which medical bills pile up, and you lose wages.
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Accidents can be especially traumatic, leaving a lasting impact on your mental health. You may become depressed, disconnected from everyone and everything, and unable to concentrate on school or work. If you were in a car accident, you might be too scared to ride. These are all PTSD symptoms that may not present until months after the accident.
Unfortunately, PTSD can adversely impact the quality of your life, and it may be a while before you can get back to what life was before the accident. You must seek medical treatment for your mental health if you have anxiety-related problems after the accident.
Act Fast
However minor your accident, consult a doctor for a comprehensive check-up to rule out hidden injuries. These injuries can cause severe and costly health complications for you in the future.
The statute of limitations for personal injury cases in Seattle and Washington is three years. You don’t want to wait too long and risk your claim being dismissed because the limitations period has expired. An experienced attorney can argue the case for hidden injuries, in which case you may have more time than the standard three-year limitations.
Get Legal Help with Hidden Injuries
The dedicated legal team at Boohoff Law Firm recognizes the long-lasting impacts of injuries sustained in an accident, including those that aren’t immediately apparent. If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident, be proactive and schedule a case consultation today instead of waiting until your hidden injuries become critical.
