After a car accident, the insurance companies want to settle as quickly as possible. It’s in their interest, not yours, to settle all claims quickly.
Even if you don’t believe you have been injured, go to a doctor for a medical exam.
Your insurance company will likely cover the cost. And while you probably want to get everything settled, too - be patient! Don’t sign away your rights before you are sure you suffered no injury in the accident.
Some injuries may take days or even weeks to become apparent. Among those are:Whiplash
You may believe you are just experiencing soreness from the crash, and that may be the case. But depending on the accident, you may also have suffered whiplash. The Mayo Clinic reports symptoms of whiplash include: “Neck pain and stiffness; worsening of pain with neck movement; loss of range of motion in the neck; headaches, most often starting at the base of the skull; tenderness or pain in the shoulder, upper back or arms; tingling or numbness in the arms; and fatigue."
Concussion
If you struck your head or were hit hard by an airbag, you may have suffered a concussion. The Mayo Clinic says symptoms of a concussion “can last for days, weeks or even longer.” Among the symptoms, the Mayo Clinic reports are: “Headache or a feeling of pressure in the head, temporary loss of consciousness, confusion or feeling as in a fog, amnesia surrounding the traumatic event, dizziness or ‘seeing stars,’ ringing in the ears, nausea, vomiting, slurred speech, delayed response to questions, appearing dazed, and fatigue.”Bruising, Muscle Strain or Tearing of Muscles
According to WebMD, signs of muscle strain include “swelling, bruising or redness, or open cuts due to the injury, pain at rest, pain when the specific muscle or the joint in relation to that muscle is used, weakness of the muscle or tendons, and the inability to use the muscle at all.”
Spinal Cord Injuries
An injury to the spinal cord may first manifest itself as soreness. Later, other symptoms can present. The Mayo Clinic says spinal cord injuries may result in one or more of the following symptoms: “Loss of movement; loss of sensation, including the ability to feel heat, cold and touch; loss of bowel or bladder control; exaggerated reflex activities or spasms; changes in sexual function, sexual sensitivity and fertility; pain or an intense stinging sensation caused by damage to the nerve fibers in your spinal cord; and difficulty breathing, coughing or clearing secretions from your lungs.”Before settling a claim or accepting payment from an insurance company, safeguard your rights by consulting a personal injury attorney who can explain your rights and help you negotiate a fair settlement. Cory Watson attorneys have successfully represented clients for more than 30 years, and our lawyers are ready to help.