Just about any time a person has a car accident, it is an overwhelming and traumatic event. It happens suddenly, takes everyone involved by surprise, and can have lasting consequences.
Some car accidents might seem minor, producing seemingly insignificant injuries, but appearances can be deceiving. Symptoms for injuries do not always arise immediately, nor are they always visible.
If you have been involved in a car accident, it is important to see a doctor right away and monitor your injuries. This will not only benefit your health and well-being, but protect your legal rights as well.
The Adrenaline Effect
In car accident, emotions run high, causing the body to generate adrenaline and endorphins, both of which super-charge the body and minimize pain levels. As such, many injured individuals might feel perfectly fine after an accident, but once the adrenaline rush subsides, the pain might begin to set in.
Soft Tissue Injuries
A soft tissue injury occurs when damage has been done to parts of the body other than the bone, such as muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
These types of injuries are usually more difficult to diagnose, especially since symptoms do not manifest immediately. They might not seem serious at first, but can cause major problems later on.
Concussions
Concussions are another type of injury that might not exhibit symptoms in the immediate aftermath of an accident, but can be quite serious. Symptoms of a concussion include:
- Vision problems
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Lack of energy
- Headaches
- Trouble sleeping
- Difficulty retaining new information
See a Doctor
You should see a doctor even if you are not experiencing any symptoms after a car accident. Just because you feel fine, does not mean you are not injured. A medical professional will be able to run tests and advise you on potential symptoms to watch out for.
Additionally, seeing a doctor will help support your personal injury claim if your injuries turn out to be serious. You will need documentation of doctor visits, treatment, and any other medical costs associated with your injuries.
Not seeing a doctor right away might lead the at-fault party’s insurance company to believe that you were not really injured in the accident.
Can the Time Limit to File a Claim Be Extended?
In Colorado, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is generally two years. However, there is also a “discovery rule” that may extend the time limit under certain circumstances.
The discovery rule in Colorado states that the two-year statute of limitations begins to run from the date the injured person knew or should have known, through the exercise of reasonable diligence, that they suffered an injury caused by someone else’s wrongful conduct.
Under the discovery rule, if the injury is not immediately apparent or if the injured person could not reasonably have known about the injury at the time it occurred, the statute of limitations may be extended. In such cases, the two-year time limit starts running from the date the injury was discovered or when it should reasonably have been discovered.
It’s important to note that the discovery rule does have limitations. In Colorado, regardless of when the injury is discovered, the statute of limitations will not be extended beyond a total of three years from the date the injury occurred.
It’s always recommended to consult with a personal injury attorney in Colorado to understand the specific application of the discovery rule to your particular case, as laws can change and legal advice should be based on the most current information available.
Contact Our Law Firm Today
At Gerash Steiner & Blanton, P.C., our Denver personal injury attorneys are passionate about protecting the rights of the injured in the aftermath of serious accidents and injuries.
If you or someone in your family has been injured as a result of someone else’s negligence, you have a right to pursue justice and compensation. With our proven track record of success, you can trust that your case will be in qualified hands with us.
Call us today at (303) 732-5048 to schedule a free case evaluation.
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