Often, victims of car accidents will be rushed to the emergency room with obvious injuries: whiplash, broken bones, traumatic brain injuries (TBI), and more.
But what if you walk away from the scene seemingly uninjured – then days, weeks, months, or even years later, your physical condition after your car accident becomes painful and or debilitating? Is there any recourse for you if you experience this situation?
The good news is, yes, you can do something about it.
In this guide, we’ll examine what to do if you’re now experiencing pain significantly after a car accident and the steps you need to take. If you have questions after reading this blog, our Oklahoma City car accident lawyer would be happily answer them – just call (405) 397-1717 or contact us online.
Steps To Take After Experiencing Delayed Pain Post-Car Accident
If you’re in an Oklahoma City car accident but don’t experience painful symptoms until later, follow the steps below.
1. Go To A Doctor
If you’re experiencing pain that may be attributable to your car accident, the first step is to go to the doctor or other qualified medical professional for assessment. There are personal injury accident-specific medical clinics (which are familiar with documenting injuries for legal reasons), but of course, any medical provider should be able to assess your painful symptoms.
Additionally, pain may not just be physical; it can also be emotional pain. According to the National Library of Medicine, car accident victims are much more likely to develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) than individuals who did not experience a car accident.
Whether your pain is physical, emotional/mental, or a combination of both, having clear documentation that ties your suffering to your case is key to potentially getting damages or a settlement to cover it.
Oklahoma City Car Accident Injury Symptoms
Depending on when the accident happened, you may not even recognize your physical issues as actual symptoms of the car accident. Here’s a list of what you may experience well after your accident.
- Neck Pain
- Back Pain
- Abdominal Pain
- Tingling And Numbness
- Memory Loss Or Lack Of Concentration
- Migraines Or Headaches
- Nausea
- Excessive Sleeping
- Brain Fog
2. Understand The Statute Of Limitations For Your Case
Each potential cause of liability action has what’s known as a statute of limitations governing it. Essentially, this deadline is how long you have to file a case after you experience the situation that causes your injuries or pain.
According to 76 OK Stat § 5.5 (2023), which covers most car accident-related personal injuries, “any claim filed herein shall be filed within two (2) years of the date of injury, death or damage to property…”
That means you have two years from the date of the accident to file a case. Some states word their statute of limitations so that victims who discover their injuries later have two years from the date of discovery to file a case. Unfortunately, that is not how it works for victims in Oklahoma.
3. Contact An Oklahoma Personal Injury Lawyer
Most good Oklahoma City personal injury lawyers provide free case reviews for clients with delayed onset symptoms after a car accident.
If you need help from a lawyer, call Warhawk Legal at (405) 397-1717 or book your case review online today.