When you are involved in an accident in Maryland, you may be surprised to find that you feel okay following the immediate aftermath. Despite the impact of the vehicles or the damage done to your car, you notice no pain or discomfort. However, in the days that follow, you may feel worse and worse. Unfortunately, an accident injury may be delayed, so understanding what steps you should take to help your case is critical. The following blog explores why some accident injuries may be delayed and the steps you should take following a collision in which symptoms may appear later. You’ll also discover how a Baltimore County auto accident attorney can assist you during these difficult times.
Why Might an Accident Injury Be Delayed?
Unfortunately, there are several reasons you may find that your auto accident injury did not manifest for a few days. Typically, one of the main causes is that when you are involved in a collision, your body releases massive amounts of adrenaline. This is often done to help you navigate the aftermath of an accident so you can respond to the matters at hand. However, this does not mean you don’t have an injury, just that it is being masked.
In addition, it’s important to understand that everyone’s body reacts differently to pain and the trauma of being involved in an accident. As such, your body may process the pain differently, meaning it takes more time for symptoms to appear.
Finally, some injuries do not manifest immediately. Concussions, for example, can appear days following the impact on the head. Similarly, whiplash symptoms may not appear immediately.
What Should I Do if I Develop Symptoms Later?
It’s important to understand that the moment you feel pain related to an accident you are involved in, you should seek medical care, especially if time has passed between the accident and when the pain manifests. Unfortunately, you’ll find that failure to seek medical care may impact the outcome of your claim.
Maryland is a contributory negligence state, meaning if you are found to have contributed to your accident in any capacity, you are barred from collecting compensation. Unfortunately, delaying medical care can be seen as a contributing factor to the damages you’ve endured.
In general, following a collision, you should seek medical care immediately, whether this is through the emergency medical technicians at the scene or through immediately contacting your primary care physician. Typically, you’ll find that this can help establish medical care to protect you.
One of the most important things you can do during these complicated times is to connect with an experienced personal injury attorney who can help guide you through this process. Your lawyer can examine the circumstances of your case to help provide you with the best possible chance of fighting for a positive outcome. When you are hurt and need legal help, the team at the Law Offices of Markey & Orsi is ready to assist you. Our firm knows that managing a legal battle and healing from an injury at the same time can be complicated, which is why we will do everything in our power to guide you through these matters. Contact us today to learn how we can fight for you.
