What If Your Symptoms Worsen After a Car Accident in Kansas City?

For many accident victims, car accident injuries are immediately known. The pain associated with a broken bone or deep lacerations is felt as soon as the injury occurs. A person may feel pain in their chest, neck, or back immediately after a car crash. However, there is the possibility of delayed symptoms after a Kansas City car accident.

If you were in an accident in Missouri or Kansas and are wondering what to do if your symptoms are getting worse over time, we can help. Please contact our car accident lawyer in Kansas City, Missouri at 816-203-0143. We offer free consultations and can help guide you on what to do next.

Types of Kansas City Car Accident Injuries

The injuries you could sustain in a car rash depend on the type of vehicles involved in the accident, the type of collision, and other factors. It is important to remember that even a low-impact crash or "fender bender" could result in serious injuries.

Common injuries caused by Kansas City car accidents include:

Prompt medical attention after a motor vehicle accident is the best way to protect your health. It also increases the chance that you will recover fair compensation for your damages.

If you do not go to the emergency room by ambulance, it is wise to see your doctor for a complete examination as soon as possible. Even if you do not experience symptoms, a doctor may diagnose an injury before symptoms appear. Even if you see your doctor and he does not diagnose specific injuries, pay close attention to symptoms in the days and weeks following the accident. Report new or worsening symptoms to your physician immediately.

Delayed Symptoms After a Car Crash in Kansas City

An accident victim can experience delayed symptoms. The shock of being in an accident combined with high levels of adrenaline can mask some injury symptoms. The person may not feel the full effect of the symptoms for a few hours after the crash or until the next day.

Neck and back injuries could take up to eight days after a crash to become noticeable. Internal bleeding has been discovered up to 24 hours to three days after a car wreck. Concussion symptoms may not present for a few hours or days after a car crash.

Some injuries do not present symptoms for a few days after the accident. What started as minor soreness or aches begins to worsen. A person may experience a drop in blood pressure, severe pain, dizziness, vomiting, or other symptoms that were not present immediately following the car accident.

Another possible cause of delayed symptoms could be a health condition. For example, if a person has neuropathy caused by diabetes, they may not feel the pain caused by a broken ankle or a deep laceration on their leg. A person who has chronic migraines may assume that is the cause of their headache when the cause could be a traumatic brain injury.

Delayed Symptoms to Watch for After a Car Accident in MO or KS

Some symptoms that you need to watch for after a car accident in Missouri or Kansas include, but are not limited to:

  • Numbness in the hands, arms, legs, or feet could indicate a spinal cord injury, including herniated discs, pinched nerves, and spinal fractures
  • Abdominal pain can indicate internal bleeding or damage to internal organs. Abdominal bruising and pain can be a symptom of Seat Belt Syndrome.
  • Headaches may be a symptom of several injuries, such as traumatic brain injury, whiplash, skull fractures, concussions, hematoma, and many others
  • Neck and shoulder pain could indicate whiplash or spinal injuries
  • Changes in emotions or personality could indicate a variety of physical or emotional injuries, such as PTSD, anxiety, depression, and brain injuries
  • Dizziness and nausea/vomiting can indicate a brain injury, internal bleeding, and a variety of other injuries
  • Back pain could indicate injuries to the spinal cord, muscles, vertebrae, or ligaments. It can also be a symptom of whiplash or other neck injuries.
  • Problems with speech, concentration, or focus could indicate a severe brain injury that requires immediate attention.

The above symptoms are not the only symptoms you could experience in the hours and days after a car crash. Any change in your physical or emotional health could be an indication of an injury. If you ignore symptoms after an accident, you could develop a permanent impairment or life-threatening condition.

Assessing Your Injuries After a Car Accident in Kansas City

Delays in medical care after a car accident can cause problems in a personal injury case. The other driver's insurance company may argue that the motor vehicle accident did not cause your injuries. It may argue that if the accident were the cause of your injuries, you would have sought medical care right after the crash.

However, if you seek medical care and report all symptoms as they appear or worsen, you have a medical record supporting your injury claim. Having detailed medical records documenting your car accident injuries improves the chance you recover maximum compensation for your injuries and damages.

Don’t Let the Insurance Company Bully You into Accepting a Settlement Offer

You have the right to consult with a Kansas City personal injury lawyer and negotiate a higher settlement amount. You do not have to accept the first settlement offer made by the insurance company. The insurance company cannot require you to sign a medical authorization to file an insurance claim. It is in your best interest not to sign any documents or provide a statement until you talk with a lawyer.

If you have not completed treatment for car accident injuries, it is not in your best interest to settle your claim. If you sustain a permanent impairment, the value of your personal injury claim could be much higher. Instead, contact our office to discuss what you should do to protect your legal rights.

 

Contact Our Kansas City Car Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation

The Law Office of Kevin J. McManus offers free consultations so you can learn more about your legal rights and how we can help you recover a fair settlement for your accident claim.

Call our office at 816-203-0143 or complete our online contact form for more information or to schedule an appointment with a Kansas City car accident lawyer.
 

 

Kevin J. McManus
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Kevin McManus is an accident injury and disability lawyer in Kansas City, MO, and Overland Park, KS
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