Not every injury is apparent at the moment of a car crash, so Kentucky residents who were hurt in one should wait until they reach maximum medical improvement before seeking damages. Above all, they should not sign a release of liability form with the other driver’s auto insurance company. They could consider how the following symptoms might point to a delayed injury.
A victim’s pain may be something as relatively minor as a headache. This, however, may indicate a number of conditions: blood clots, brain injuries, neck injuries and whiplash. Whiplash is usually accompanied by neck, shoulder and lower back pain as well. Back pain may point to a sprain, muscle damage or a herniated disc. Herniated discs can cause neck and shoulder pain, too, and when they pinch or press up against a nerve, they lead to tingling and numbness.
Victims may have suffered abdominal trauma, especially from their seat belt, in which case they may experience bruising and pain in the abdomen. At the same time, they may suffer from dizziness and headaches.
Lastly, there’s the emotional trauma that may only become apparent much later. Victims may suffer from depression, anxiety or a phobia of driving. They may even develop post-traumatic stress disorder. Another thing to watch for is personality change, which can be the result of brain injuries.
When auto accident injuries are so severe that personal injury protection cannot cover them, victims may be eligible to pursue a third-party insurance claim. To have their case analyzed in light of Kentucky’s pure comparative negligence rule, victims may see a lawyer. They may want to hire the lawyer, too, for every step of the filing and negotiating process. If the other side refuses to pay out or only offers a low-ball settlement, then the lawyer may prepare for litigation.