Content reviewed by:
Alex Shulman
If your car accident symptoms start days later, you should visit a doctor, document your symptoms, and contact a lawyer to learn about your legal options.
Not all car accident injuries appear right away. If you suffered injuries that didn’t become apparent until well after a crash, a New York car accident lawyer from Shulman & Hill Injury Lawyers can help you build a claim and pursue compensation.
What Should I Do If My Car Accident Symptoms Start Days Later?
If your car accident symptoms start days after the crash, you should:
- Seek medical attention: Tell your healthcare provider that you were involved in a car accident, when the crash occurred, and when your symptoms began.
- Describe all symptoms: Explain where you are hurting, how severe the pain is, and whether your symptoms have changed since the accident.
- Follow your doctor’s treatment plan: Attend all follow-up appointments, complete prescribed therapy, and follow your provider’s instructions.
- Document your symptoms: Keep notes about pain, headaches, stiffness, numbness, dizziness, sleep problems, and any other changes you experience.
- Save accident evidence: Keep photographs, medical records, bills, repair estimates, insurance correspondence, and other documents related to the accident.
- Speak with an attorney: A car accident attorney from Shulman & Hill can evaluate your case and explain whether you have a viable personal injury claim.
Can You Still File a Car Accident Claim?
Yes, you can still pursue a car accident claim if injuries arise days after the crash. The fact that symptoms appeared later does not automatically prevent you from seeking compensation.
That said, if you report injuries late, insurance companies may question whether the accident caused them, particularly if there was a significant gap between the collision and your first medical appointment. This is why it’s important to see a doctor as soon as your injuries manifest.
You should be honest with medical providers and insurers about when your symptoms began. Do not exaggerate your symptoms or claim that you were injured immediately if you were not. A personal injury lawyer from Shulman & Hill can guide you through the rest of the process of filing a claim.
How Can You Prove Delayed Injuries Were Caused by a Car Accident?
To prove that your injuries were caused by the crash, you must present evidence connecting the two. Types of evidence that may help include:
- Medical records: Records can show when you sought treatment, what symptoms you reported, and what diagnosis or treatment the provider recommended.
- Accident reports: A police report can establish that the collision occurred and document the circumstances surrounding it.
- Photographs and videos: Images of vehicle damage, the accident scene, and visible injuries can help demonstrate the severity and mechanics of the crash.
- Witness statements: People who saw the accident or observed your condition afterward may be able to attest to your story.
- Employment records: Records showing missed work or changes in your ability to perform your job can help establish the impact of your injuries.
- Personal symptom records: A written record of when your symptoms began and how they progressed can help establish a timeline.
- Medical bills: Treatment expenses can document the financial consequences of your injuries.
A personal injury attorney from Shulman & Hill can collect evidence that links your injuries to the accident.
What Car Accident Injuries Can Cause Delayed Symptoms?
Several types of injuries can produce symptoms that don’t become noticeable until well after a car accident. Common ones include:
- Whiplash: Whiplash occurs when the head and neck are suddenly forced backward and forward. Neck pain, stiffness, headaches, shoulder pain, and reduced range of motion may become more noticeable days after the crash.
- Back injuries: A collision can strain muscles, ligaments, discs, or other structures in the back. Pain and stiffness may gradually increase over the following days.
- Concussions and other head injuries: Symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, confusion, fatigue, sensitivity to light, and difficulty concentrating may not always be obvious right after an accident.
- Soft–tissue injuries: Damage to muscles, tendons, and ligaments can cause soreness and inflammation that becomes more apparent as the body responds to the trauma.
- Nerve injuries: Nerve-related problems can cause numbness, tingling, burning sensations, weakness, or shooting pain that only become noticeable later.
- Emotional trauma: Anxiety, sleep problems, fear of driving, and other psychological symptoms can also develop in the days and weeks after an accident.
If you suffered any of these injuries in your crash, a lawyer from Shulman & Hill can help you seek damages.
How Long Do You Have to File a Car Accident Claim in New York?
According to NY CPLR § 214, you generally have three years from the date of a car accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in New York. The fact that your symptoms started days after the collision does not change when the three-year clock starts. In addition, you typically have 30 days from the date of a crash to file a claim with your insurance company.
A different deadline may apply to your personal injury lawsuit in certain situations, such as if the accident involved a government-owned vehicle or the defendant leaves the state.
If you miss the applicable deadline, you will likely forfeit the right to pursue damages, which is why it’s important to reach out to the attorneys at Shulman & Hill as soon as you decide to file a claim.
Talk to a Car Accident Lawyer
If you are dealing with delayed symptoms from a car crash, there’s no time to waste. A car accident attorney from Shulman & Hill can gather evidence that proves your injuries, handle negotiations with insurers, and fight for the compensation you need to get back on your feet.
Schedule a free case review to discuss your injuries with a lawyer.