A low-speed crash may leave little vehicle damage, so you may assume you are unhurt if you feel fine at the scene. However, whiplash symptoms often begin within days, while some concussion symptoms may take hours or days to appear. Paying attention to changes in how you feel can protect your health and create a clearer record if you later pursue a Missouri injury claim.
What delayed symptoms can look like
Symptoms vary from person to person. Whiplash may cause neck pain and stiffness, headaches, shoulder or arm pain and dizziness, while a concussion may cause headaches, mental fog and sensitivity to light or noise.
If you develop symptoms after a crash, consider getting evaluated by a health care professional. For a possible concussion, seek emergency care for concussion warning signs such as a worsening headache that does not go away, repeated vomiting, seizures, slurred speech or increasing confusion.
Can delayed symptoms affect your injury claim?
Delayed symptoms do not automatically mean your injury is unrelated to the crash or prevent you from pursuing an injury claim. Still, an insurance company may question when your symptoms began, whether you sought treatment and whether a preexisting or unrelated condition could explain your symptoms. Medical records can document when you reported symptoms, what providers observed and what treatment you received.
What can you document after symptoms appear?
Keeping accurate records can help preserve important details. Consider tracking:
- When symptoms first appeared or became worse
- Medical appointments and treatment instructions
- Work or daily activities you missed
- Photos of vehicle damage and the crash scene
Describe your symptoms accurately to your medical providers and follow their treatment instructions.
How does Missouri law affect your claim?
The state follows pure comparative fault. If you share responsibility for the crash, your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault. The state also generally gives you five years to file a personal injury lawsuit, although different deadlines may apply in some situations.
Know what to do when symptoms develop later
A crash does not have to result in significant property damage for symptoms to appear later. Paying attention to changes in your health and keeping records of your symptoms and treatment can help establish a clearer timeline. If an insurer questions whether your injuries resulted from the crash or disputes your share of fault, an attorney can review the available evidence and explain how Missouri law may affect your claim.