Compensation for Delayed Accident Injuries in Michigan

A car accident disrupts your life suddenly, leaving you to deal with pain and confusion in the aftermath. Sometimes, you walk away lucky and unharmed, only to start feeling symptoms days or weeks later.

You may wonder whether you are still eligible for compensation if this has happened to you. Learn about delayed car accident symptoms, how long you have to file your accident claim, and how a skilled Michigan car accident lawyer can help protect your right to fair compensation after discovering a delayed injury.

What Are Delayed Car Accident Symptoms?

Whether you have a slight ache emanating from your lower back, delayed neck pain after a car accident, or something more subtle, delayed car accident symptoms are real and need your attention.

Delayed injury symptoms refer to those signals your body gives you that something is wrong days or even weeks after the crash occurred. They are the signs of more serious injuries not initially felt, diagnosed, and treated after your accident. Even broken bones can be hard to detect initially in some cases.

This gap between the accident, delayed symptoms, and resulting medical care can interfere with auto insurance claims and the attainment of a fair settlement.

Common examples of delayed physical injury symptoms in accident victims include the following:

• Increasing or ongoing headaches can indicate a TBI (traumatic brain injury), such as a concussion or worse. Such headaches may also be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, fatigue, dizziness, ringing in the ears, and slurred speech.
• Neck pain can indicate a whiplash injury. A stiff neck may be due to your holding it still to avoid pain from joint or disc damage. You can also experience shoulder pain as a result. Delayed whiplash symptoms are all too common following an accident.
• Tingling or a loss of sensation can indicate whiplash injuries, spinal injury, or nerve damage.
• Abdominal pain or swelling can indicate internal injuries, such as internal bleeding or organ damage.
• Back pain can indicate injury to the spinal cord, herniated disc, or damage to nerves or muscles.
• Disorientation, confusion, memory loss, or difficulty concentrating can also occur as a result of injuries from an accident.

If you begin to feel any of these delayed injury symptoms, seek medical attention as soon as possible, and then schedule an initial free consultation with a Michigan personal injury lawyer.

Delayed Neck Pain After a Car Accident

After a traumatic event, such as a motor vehicle accident, it is common for individuals to experience a rush in adrenaline, endorphins, and other stress hormones, which can mask pain and severe neck injury. Once they stabilize, pain may emerge, and an injury to the neck may be felt. Symptoms include inflammation, pain, swelling, and discomfort, and may take two to four weeks to surface.

Delayed Lower Back Pain After Car Accident

Your back may or may not feel sore after a car accident, and the true extent of your injuries may not begin to present themselves until days or weeks after the crash. Delayed lower back pain is often attributed to adrenaline, which masks pain symptoms. Types of delayed injuries include tears or strains to ligaments, muscles, discs, tendons, or even fractures. The pain may become more significant as time passes and inflammation settles in.

Delayed Symptoms of Whiplash After a Car Accident

Whiplash is a common car accident injury, especially in rear-end crashes, and can be difficult to diagnose. Some people may see signs of whiplash clearly on their own, but others experience worsening symptoms. Common ones include neck pain, stiffness, headaches, blurry vision, dizziness, tingling/numbness in arms, fatigue, sleep disruption, tinnitus, concentration and memory difficulties, and depression.

Why Car Accident Symptoms Often Appear Late

Injuries that do not surface immediately can still be serious, even dangerous, if not treated. Accident victims should always seek medical attention before the pain intensifies.

No two car accidents are the same, and the injuries that appear in the aftermath also vary. However, there are some common reasons why symptoms may emerge later.

• Adrenaline masks the injury
• Inflammation develops gradually
• Muscle strain takes time to surface
• Psychological stress and trauma
• Delayed nerve and soft tissue pain

Additionally, in injuries such as traumatic brain injury, many of the symptoms are hidden since they are not outwardly visible. It is very common for problems to emerge long after a head injury, especially in children, since they can’t always communicate their symptoms, or the affected areas of the brain are still developing.

How Long After a Car Accident Can You Feel the Effects?

The truth about injuries following a car crash is that car accident victims can feel the effects for hours, days, and even weeks.

Not all effects of a car accident will appear immediately. You will typically feel the effects of the trauma as they gradually develop in the following 24-48 hours. Some may take days to occur before you notice them. These delayed symptoms will depend on the types of injuries you sustain.

Signs You Should Go to the Hospital After a Michigan Car Accident

Following a Michigan motor vehicle accident, there may be signs indicating you need medical care. First, allow yourself to be examined by emergency personnel, such as EMTs or paramedics, at the accident scene. They will look for signs of potentially life-threatening injuries and often recommend that you get examined by a medical professional.

You should get to the ER immediately if any of the following are present:

• Pain, whether persistent or occurring when you move a certain way
• Headache
• Swelling
• Feeling confused or disoriented
• Loss of range of motion
• Discomfort when placing weight on any extremity
• Presence of large cuts, gashes, or lacerations, as these can become infected

Even if you are not feeling pain or discomfort, you should see a healthcare provider because of the potential for delayed or unnoticed injuries. This also documents any injuries that emerge.

How to Protect Your Michigan Auto Accident Claim in Cases of Delayed Injuries

When delays in injuries occur, there is always a risk to your Michigan auto accident claim.

These delayed injury cases are more difficult to prove. In a lawsuit, the insurance company and the defense will argue that some other event or crash may have occurred between the time of the accident and the onset of injuries, which could be the direct cause of those particular injuries.

Suppose you have a pre-existing condition that is aggravated, such as delayed lower back pain after a car accident. In that case, the defense will also attempt to dismiss your back injuries as unrelated to the recent crash and claim you should not be able to recover any damages.

Steps to take after an accident that can protect the ability to file an insurance claim if you develop delayed symptoms include:

• When emergency personnel arrive, allow them to assess your injuries. Tell them of any symptoms you currently experience and changes to how you feel.
• Talk to your doctor right away. Document every complaint.
  • If you bumped something that hurts a little, mention it. Do not think that because one part of your body is hurt more than another, this pain will stay that way or disappear eventually. You must notify your doctor or other healthcare professional of every soreness or body part that hurts. If the injury was of the type where symptoms often do not present themselves for some time, it will not be deemed suspicious and will not impact a claim.
• Follow all recommendations by your healthcare professionals, including follow-up visits, physical therapy sessions, medications, and more.
• Collect all related medical records and documentation, including money spent on medical bills resulting from the accident.

While the period for filing an injury claim extends beyond the immediate hours and days following an accident, the challenge is compiling the required evidence to prove your claim. As such, always seek medical attention after a crash and free consultation and legal advice from a dedicated Michigan accident attorney.

The experienced Michigan personal injury attorneys with Matz Injury Law will work closely with your medical treatment provider to report any symptoms related to the crash.

Who Pays for My Medical Expenses After a Michigan Car Accident?

Medical expenses can quickly accumulate following a car accident, leaving you wondering who will pay for them all. This falls under your personal injury protection (PIP) insurance. If you do not have your own car insurance to cover these medical expenses, they will fall under your spouse’s insurer or the insurer of a relative living at the same address as you.

In some cases, none of these options are available, and you will need to rely on the Michigan Assigned Claims Plan to assign a particular insurer to your case to pay those expenses.

Michigan’s auto insurance laws seek to protect you in this way. If you have questions or concerns pertaining to the payment of your medical expenses, seek legal advice from one of our injury attorneys.

How Long After a Car Accident Can You Sue in Michigan?

Understanding and meeting all deadlines for filing a car accident injury claim is another essential element of your case. For those seeking no-fault benefits, you have one year from the accident date to file. In many situations, filing for these benefits will be enough.

However, in some instances, you may need to file a personal injury lawsuit to recover rightfully deserved compensation. In Michigan, the statute of limitations for filing is three years. Call our office for a free consultation to protect your rights and avoid missing important deadlines.

How Much Compensation Can You Receive in Michigan for Delayed Car Accident Symptoms?

In Michigan, you can file for compensation for delayed car accident symptoms, which can include economic and non-economic damages.

Economic damages include those easily assigned a monetary value, lost wages, and medical bills. Per Michigan law, there is no limit to the economic damages you can recover in your case.

Non-economic damages are those damages that cannot simply be calculated and include post-traumatic stress disorder and pain and suffering. These types of damages are limited in the state of Michigan. A Michigan auto injury attorney can help you calculate these types of damages.

When Should I Contact a Michigan Car Accident Attorney?

Spending time recovering from your accident and doing everything possible for your health will be your main priority in the days ahead. If possible, during this time, you should also contact a Michigan car accident attorney. An important reason for this early contact is that your legal team can begin assembling documentation and the recovery process on your behalf.

How Does Matz Injury Law Make the Difference?

Following a car accident, emotions may run high, and you may be concerned about your finances. You need an attorney who understands what you are going through and takes the time to listen to you and your concerns.

Matz Injury Law can make a difference in your case. Here are a few reasons why.

• Experience: The attorneys with Matz Injury Law have years of experience in injury cases and are here to guide you through the claims process.
• Lower fees: Matz Injury Law charges 22%, which is lower than the industry standard of 33%, allowing you to keep more of your money.
• Work directly with a partner: As a small firm, our attorneys stay personally involved in all aspects of the case and will be available to speak with clients and answer any questions.
• Communication: We stay in contact with you concerning all aspects of your case.

Testimonials

“I got into a car accident in 7/2023 and was recommended by my mom’s friend. Steven and Jared Matz kept me updated throughout the claim. Kristina would reach out to me to make sure I received all documents that came to me. They stayed in contact and talked me through it all. I am grateful for the services that I received from this father and son team! May God continue to bless them!” — JoaQuaina P.

“If you’re looking for an attorney to handle your automobile accident/injury claims, then I highly recommend Steve Matz and his team! When I fractured my skull, he helped me settle my bodily injury claim in a timely manner! He was very attentive, professional, and cordial. It was easy to reach him if I had any questions.” — Alicia C.

“I was advised by Steve Matz over several days regarding a previous auto accident. He was very diligent with providing me the information I needed to be successful. I was very worried and misguided about the steps I needed to take to manage the lawsuit and obtained his contact information from one of the law firm’s previous clients. I appreciate all of the time he took to get me back on track.” — Domonique B.

Additional Resources

• Does Health Insurance Cover Car Accident Injuries?: In most cases, health insurance will cover injury-related expenses, but it is essential to check. You can also use your no-fault auto insurance to coordinate with healthcare coverage.
• Can You Sue for Aggravated Injuries Due to an Accident: Michigan allows accident victims to seek compensation if their pre-existing injuries are worsened in a collision. While insurance companies may contest these claims, a knowledgeable personal injury attorney familiar with the “eggshell skull rule” can help secure fair compensation.
• Is It Worth Hiring A Michigan Car Accident Lawyer?: Working with a Michigan car accident attorney can be highly beneficial. An attorney can help you obtain fair compensation to cover medical bills, pain and suffering, loss of income, and other injury-related costs.

Don’t Hold Off. Start Recovery Today.

Being in a car accident can bring with it threats to your health, finances, and peace of mind. If you or a loved one experiences delayed onset injury symptoms, don’t hold off on seeking medical care and speaking with a knowledgeable personal injury attorney. We are experienced and can typically recognize how delayed pain and other common symptoms can suggest hidden injuries might be present.

Schedule a free consultation and case evaluation with the dedicated attorneys at the Michigan law firm of Matz Injury Law. Call 866-22Not33 or use our convenient online contact form to get started.