Latent Car Accident Injuries
Latent Car Accidents Injury Attorneys Bucks County PA
Serving Clients across Bucks County, Northeast Philadelphia, Bensalem, Feasterville and the surrounding communities
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) nearly two million people are injured every year in car accidents. Some injuries may be obvious – bleeding, cuts, bruises, bumps, and breaks. Other injuries are not so obvious and can become apparent later. These injuries are called latent injuries, also known as late-appearing injuries. If they were caused by the accident but were not immediately apparent at the time of the crash, you may still be entitled to compensation. Below we discuss latent injuries and how they relate to personal injury claims. Contact our firm today to discuss your latent injuries and your potential eligibility to file a lawsuit against those responsible.
Why we don’t always feel the injury at the site of the accident
Most people have suffered an injury in some way, whether it is a cut, scrape, bruise or sprain. You may recall a time when you bumped yourself and, while it hurt, you went on about your day. The next day you may have seen a bruise and felt soreness that was not present the day before. Latent injuries work the same way and may appear over time.
There are many reasons why not all injuries are immediately known. Most often, accidents are overwhelming, and our bodies respond accordingly. Endorphin and adrenaline levels increase, masking the pain that would be more noticeable in an average situation. After adrenaline levels begin to decrease, the pain can become more noticeable.
Types of Injuries that may take time to appear
There are many different types of injuries, and each has a different reason why it might take some time to appear. Some injuries, such as soft tissue injuries, are not immediately obvious. Soft tissue injuries are injuries caused to tissues that connect, support or surround other structures and organs of the body. These can include sprains, bruises, strains and overall damage to muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia, nerves, and fibrous tissues. Soft tissue injuries are more common around the joints and can cause the quality of life issues. They may appear later because swelling takes time to develop and dissipate.
Similarly, a traumatic brain injury may take time to make itself known. According to the Mayo Clinic, a traumatic brain is caused as a result of “a violent blow or jolt to the head or body” or by an “object that penetrates brain tissue”. There are both mild and more serious traumatic brain injuries. In the case of mild injuries, the brain cells may be temporarily impacted. Think of this like a bruise that will go away. In more serious cases, bleeding and damage to tissue can cause “long-term complications or death.” Some common symptoms of brain injuries include loss of balance, confusion, speech issues, nausea, vomiting, or loss of vision. Depending on the symptoms and when they start, a person may not know that they have a brain injury until some time after the accident.
Lastly, a spinal injury is yet another serious latent injury. Spinal injuries are a much-feared consequence of motor vehicle accidents. They can cause paralysis, loss of movement, loss of sensation, and many other issues. Initial neurological examinations, X-rays, and scans are usually done to determine the presence of spinal injuries. However, some injuries develop over several days, weeks, or months and are not immediately diagnosed by way of medical testing.
What you should do in the event of a car accident
If you are in an accident, you should seek immediate medical help. Go to the doctor or hospital and seek the advice of a qualified professional. Doctors have experience in handling patients involved in car accidents and they know what to look for. Being under a doctor’s care can reduce your risk of developing more substantial injuries. Ignoring or discounting your own situation and pain is detrimental to your overall health and well-being,
You should also follow the advice and recommended follow-up care of the treating physician. Additionally, pay attention to your pain, changes in mood, sleep, and your mobility. If you suspect that your condition is not improving or is worsening, seek further medical treatment. Keep track of the doctors that have treated you, as well as your medical records.
Contact our Bucks County PA Car Accident Injury Lawyers Today
At The Law Office of Cohen & Riechelson, our personal injury attorneys have extensive experience helping clients affected by latent injuries across Bucks County, Northeast Philadelphia, Bensalem, and Feasterville, PA.
Contact our office if you have been in a motor vehicle accident and have suffered any injury. If you feel lost because you have not reported your injury right away, you are not alone. You may be entitled to financial recovery for your medical bills, ongoing treatment, pain and suffering, and lost wages. We are here to assist you, so call today.
Contact the Bensalem offices of Cohen and Riechelson at (215) 337-491 for a free, no-obligation consultation.