Do I Have a Case If I Do Not Feel Hurt After My Accident?

You might think that you do not have the basis to file a lawsuit after a car accident if you aren’t in pain. However, this isn’t necessarily true. You could still have a case even if you don’t feel seriously injured. This is why it’s always a good idea to talk to a car accident attorney after an accident. A lawyer can review your case for free during an initial consultation. The lawyer will need access to all relevant documentation, such as the police report, in order to thoroughly assess your case and determine if filing a lawsuit is an appropriate move for you. 

Many car accident injuries cause delayed symptoms 

In many cases, a car accident causes immediately apparent injuries. Victims can suffer from lacerations, contusions, broken bones, and even amputated limbs. These injuries immediately cause pain and other symptoms. However, other crashes result in less obvious injuries, like internal trauma to the organs. These symptoms can be masked by the rush of adrenaline and endorphins that the brain releases during times of heightened emotional stress. In other words, you might not feel the pain until later. Once the chemical rush of those hormones wears off, you will start to develop symptoms. 

It’s even possible for the signs of an injury to be delayed until days after the crash. Whiplash, for instance, is a common injury among victims of rear-end collisions. It happens when the force of the impact thrusts the head and neck violently in one direction, then the other. The soft tissues in the neck get stretched beyond their capacity. Whiplash can result in severe headaches, dizziness, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), and other symptoms of neurological damage. However, you might not experience these symptoms until two or three days after the crash. 

Similarly, you might not realize until days later that you have a concussion. A concussion, which refers to brain damage, can cause significant, debilitating symptoms that may last for a long time. Examples include blurry vision, impaired cognition, dizziness, abnormal sleep patterns, and even personality changes. 

Because it’s quite possible for car accident victims to fail to fully grasp the extent of their injuries immediately after the event, it’s critically important to go to a doctor even if you don’t feel hurt. Then, talk to a personal injury attorney about your case, and keep the lawyer updated about emerging injuries and symptoms. 

Car accident lawsuits can recover compensation for property damage 

Even if you think your delayed injuries aren’t severe enough to warrant filing a lawsuit, you may have suffered other losses. Car accidents can inflict significant damage to the vehicles, sometimes resulting in a total loss. You can’t always count on the insurance company to offer just compensation for that loss.  

Furthermore, many people carry expensive items in their vehicles, like laptops, smartphones, and work-related equipment. Even if your injuries weren’t severe, you may have incurred significant expenses replacing or repairing your personal property. Be sure to tell your attorney about all of your losses pertaining to the accident. 

Contact Ellis Injury Law to find out if you have a case 

Every accident victim’s situation is a little different. The best way to determine if you could have the basis to file a car accident lawsuit is to contact the injury attorneys at Ellis Injury Law in Los Angeles. Our experienced legal team proudly serves accident victims throughout Southern California. We’ve recovered millions on behalf of our clients, enabling them to get their finances straightened out and move forward with their lives in the wake of a serious accident.  

You can contact us today to request a free case review, during which we’ll explain your options for legal recourse and answer any questions you may have. We never charge a fee unless we obtain compensation on your behalf, so there’s no risk to you to see if you could have a case even if you don’t feel hurt.