Car accidents happen in an instant, but their effects can last for days, weeks, or even years. Many accident victims walk away feeling relatively unharmed, only to experience pain and discomfort days later. These hidden injuries can significantly impact your health and your legal claim for compensation.
At Dominguez Law, we understand the challenges that follow a car accident. Our team is committed to helping you navigate both your medical recovery and your legal claim while you focus on healing.
Common Delayed-Onset Injuries After Car Accidents
After an accident, your body produces adrenaline and endorphins that can mask pain and injury symptoms. Here are some common injuries that might not appear immediately:
- Whiplash and neck injuries often develop 24-48 hours after an accident
- Concussions and traumatic brain injuries may present subtle symptoms days later
- Back injuries, including herniated discs, can worsen gradually
- Internal bleeding might not be noticeable until symptoms become severe
- Psychological trauma, including PTSD, typically develops over time
These injuries can significantly impact your daily life, yet many people don’t connect later-developing symptoms to their accident.
Why Immediate Medical Attention Is Crucial
Seeking medical care promptly after an accident is important for both your health and your legal claim. A medical evaluation creates documentation that links your injuries to the accident, which becomes vital evidence if symptoms develop later.
Insurance companies often use gaps in medical treatment to argue that injuries weren’t caused by the accident or weren’t serious. A statement from your doctor connecting delayed symptoms to the accident can help counter these arguments.
New Mexico’s Statute of Limitations
In New Mexico, you generally have three years from the date of an accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, waiting until symptoms develop can make it harder to prove your case and negotiate a fair settlement.
The longer you wait to seek treatment, the more challenging it becomes to connect your injuries to the accident. Insurance adjusters are trained to look for these gaps in care and use them to minimize your compensation.
Documenting Your Injuries
If you develop symptoms days or weeks after an accident, take these important steps:
- Seek medical attention immediately and inform your doctor about the accident
- Keep detailed records of all symptoms, medical visits, and treatments
- Follow your doctor’s treatment plan completely
- Contact an experienced personal injury attorney before speaking with insurance adjusters
These steps help establish the connection between your accident and your injuries, strengthening your claim for compensation.
The Insurance Company’s Perspective
Insurance companies aim to minimize payouts. When symptoms develop after an accident, adjusters often argue:
- The injuries aren’t related to the accident
- The injuries aren’t as severe as claimed
- You’re exaggerating symptoms for financial gain
- The delay in treatment indicates the injuries aren’t serious
Having a knowledgeable attorney on your side can help counter these tactics and advocate for fair compensation.
How Dominguez Law Can Help
Our team understands the complexities of delayed-onset injuries and how to effectively present these cases to insurance companies and juries. We work closely with medical professionals to establish the connection between accidents and later-developing symptoms. With decades of combined experience handling auto accident cases, we recognize the patterns that insurance companies use to minimize claims involving delayed injuries. Our attorneys have developed proven strategies to counter these tactics, ensuring your medical condition is properly documented and linked to the accident. We maintain relationships with trusted medical specialists who can provide expert testimony about how trauma can cause injuries that manifest days or even weeks after a collision.
We handle all aspects of your claim, from gathering medical evidence to negotiating with insurance companies, allowing you to focus on your recovery. Our boutique approach ensures you receive individualized attention throughout the process. Unlike high-volume law firms that treat clients like case numbers, we limit our caseload to provide personalized service at every stage. We take the time to understand your specific injuries, how they affect your daily life, and what future complications you might face. This thorough understanding allows us to accurately value your claim and advocate effectively for full compensation that accounts for both immediate and long-term effects of your injuries. Our commitment to individualized representation has resulted in numerous successful settlements and verdicts for clients with delayed-onset injuries.
Get the Compensation You Deserve by Scheduling a Free Consultation Today
If you have experienced delayed symptoms after a car accident in New Mexico, do not let insurance companies minimize your suffering. At Dominguez Law, we provide compassionate and aggressive representation to ensure you receive fair compensation for your injuries.
Our team has extensive experience with car accident cases and understands the physical, emotional, and financial burden that injuries can place on victims and their families. We are committed to helping you recover and move forward. Contact Dominguez Law today at 505-850-5854 or through our contact form to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case and learn how we can help you secure the compensation you deserve.
