Recognizing Delayed Symptoms of Car Accident Injuries

A car accident can leave victims with not only visible injuries but also with hidden ailments that may not manifest themselves immediately. Just after a traumatic event, the body starts producing hormones that mask pain in order to help cope with the situation. Some injuries can take several days to become noticeable. However, they can nonetheless be severe and could become worse unless spotted and treated.

Here are some symptoms to watch for after an accident and the injuries they may indicate:

Headaches — They could indicate a potentially grave problem such as a blood clot on the brain, injury to the neck or head, or even a severe concussion.
Neck and shoulder pain — This is often indicative of whiplash, one of the most prevalent injuries resulting from car accidents, caused by violent front and back movement of the head and neck. Whiplash can have long-lasting effects.
Back pain — This may arise due to injury to the muscles, ligaments, or nerves in the back, or even damage to the vertebrae.
Abdominal pain or swelling — These could be signs of internal bleeding or organ damage. Internal injuries are often difficult to detect without proper medical examination, and delayed treatment can be life-threatening.
Numbness — Particularly in the arms and hands, this can be a sign of whiplash injury. It could also indicate nerve or spinal cord damage.
Behavioral changes — Car accident victims can suffer traumatic brain injuries, resulting in changes in personality or in physical function.
Mental symptoms — Car accidents can affect mental health, causing sleep disturbances, anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These mental health issues can profoundly affect a person’s quality of life.

If you experience any of these symptoms after a car accident, seek immediate medical attention. Ignoring these signs can lead to further complications and delayed recovery. Additionally, do not discuss your injuries or any other details about the accident with an insurance representative who might contact you. Instead, consult with a personal injury attorney who will work to protect your rights. A skilled attorney will negotiate with insurance companies to get you fair compensation and if necessary will pursue a legal claim in court in your behalf.

If you were in a car crash in southern California, the law firm of Pulverman & Pulverman, LLP in Santa Barbara is ready to provide legal assistance. Contact us online or call 805.259.3581 for a free initial consultation.

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RECENT VERDICTS AND SETTLEMENTS
- $4,375,772 Arbitration award to a man severely injured as a pedestrian after being abandoned on the side of Highway 101 at 2 a.m. He was struck and injured 20 minutes later by a hit and run motorist and lost a leg and survived a lengthy coma. His arbitration award was against his girlfriend who was negligent for abandoning him on the side of the road. She disputed any liability and blamed him for being drunk. The award was reduced by 50 percent because of his intoxication.
- $3,204,934 Verdict for a man who sued an insurance company for its unreasonable refusal to settle his claim for $100,000 (policy limits). The jury determined that the insurance company acted in bad faith and the court entered a judgment for the injured plaintiff. $2,200,000 Action against international cruise line for injuries suffered on an on-shore excursion based on negligent supervision of the shore excursion provider.
- $2,000,015 Mediated settlement for a man who suffered a crushed foot in a head-on collision in the desert. $2,000,000 Jury verdict for a female motorist hit by a truck on US 101. She sustained fractures to her pelvis, femur, tibia and fibula requiring surgery. $2,000,000 Recovered for a motorcyclist who was hit by a truck and sustained orthopedic and traumatic brain injuries.
- $1,250,000 Mediated settlement for a man injured in a motorcycle accident causing a broken foot, clavicle and punctured lung. Dispute over the extent of the injuries complicated by a previously undiagnosed diabetic condition. This represented the policy limits. $1,187,704 verdict on behalf of a bicyclist who sustained shoulder, knee and rib injuries by a truck driver who violated the bicyclist’s right of way.
- $1,100,000 Settlement for a man who was rear-ended by an underinsured motorist with a $25,000 liability policy. An additional $1,075,000 was recovered under the underinsured motorist policy. $1,010,866 A pedestrian walking out of a store in San Luis Obispo is struck by a motorist entering a parking space hitting the gas instead of the brakes causing a broken leg.
- $1,000,000 Mediated settlement for a man with a fractured pelvis injured in a freeway collision with a driver carrying minimum limits of coverage ($15,000). An employer paid an additional $735,000 for a total policy limit of $750,000. An additional $250,000 was recovered in underinsured motorist benefits (policy limits). $1,055,000 Mediated settlement for a young woman who suffered a fractured knee in the parking lot of an oil change service facility. $1,100,000 settlement for a motorcyclist who sustained a fractured tibia, fibula and ribs when he was struck by a car exiting a driveway. $1,100,000 settlement for a woman who sustained a mild traumatic brain injury as a passenger in a single car collision. $1,051,250 Plaintiff/passenger suffered a fractured femur from a high speed rear end collision. Plaintiff/driver suffered lacerations from flying glass. Defendant contended he suffered a seizure and alleged the sudden unanticipated emergency defense and was diagnosed with epilepsy.
- $815,000 Settlement for a man who suffered a herniated disc with an underinsured drunk driver who paid $15,000. An additional $800,000 was recovered under an underinsured motorist policy. $500,000 Mediated settlement for policy limits for a woman who broke her hip in a rear-end accident. The defense contended the injury existed before the accident and initially offered $51,000.
- $410,645 Mediated settlement in a motorcycle crash causing a rotator cuff injury. Disputed over pre-existing medical conditions. $235,000 Mediated settlement for a woman who slipped and fell on water at an auto dealership near a water fountain. $74,277 Verdict for a woman injured in an intersection accident. Dispute over the force of impact. The defense offered $30,000 forcing a trial. The court also awarded $28,547 in costs.
- $600,000 Settlement for a woman who sustained a shoulder injury in an intersection collision with a driver who ran a red light.
- $1,000,000 settlement for a motorcyclist who injured his leg by a car pulling out of a parking lot. $1,000,000 settlement for a motorcyclist who injured his leg by a car exiting a shopping center parking lot. $1,000,025 recovered for a woman who injured her shoulders and arms in an intersection crash.