After a car accident, you might think that you survived without any injuries, at least at first. However, some injuries do not cause any pain at first, only presenting pain later on when the injury itself worsens.
Delayed pain injuries are very common, and can range from inconvenient and uncomfortable to potentially fatal for a victim.
Even if you don’t think you suffered any injuries after a car accident, it is always wise to visit a medical professional for a thorough examination as soon as you can. In some cases, you may avoid long-term suffering from a serious injury, or may even save your own life.
Life-threatening injuries
If you experience abdominal pain after a car accident, you absolutely must seek out professional medical care as soon as possible. Do not wait until tomorrow, or even until you are done with work. You may not have the luxury of waiting that long. The injuries that often cause delayed abdominal pain turn fatal quickly without proper treatment.
If you suffer organ damage, for instance, you may not feel anything for hours or even a couple of days, because the organ is still attempting to perform normal functions without full capabilities. However, over time, the organ will fail, which is both deadly and painful.
Similarly, if you suffer internal bleeding, you may not know it at first, especially if the bleeding itself is relatively minor. Even a small instance of internal bleeding is susceptible to infection, and once an infection develops significantly at the site, it may easily spread to the entire body through the bloodstream, which is a painful and not particularly quick way to die.
While it is possible that delayed abdominal pain after an accident is not caused by a life threatening injury, it is not usually possible to know whether your pain indicates a potentially fatal injury without professional medical care.
Protecting your safety and your rights
Once you receive proper medical treatment and begin your recovery if you did suffer a serious injury, it is time to consider your legal options to compensate you for your medical expenses and other losses associated with the accident.
In many cases, attempting to pursue a legal claim independently while also recovering from a physical injury compromises the results of both efforts. Not only may you miss out on important benefits, but you may take much longer to recover from your injuries, or may develop unnecessary complications.
An experienced attorney can help you focus on your physical recovery by representing your interests to insurers and medical care providers, protecting your rights and seeking full compensation for your losses.