Symptoms Days After a Car Crash: What Can Show Up Later

What is a delayed symptom after a crash?

It is a sign of injury that starts hours or days after the crash. Some injuries cause no pain at first. See a doctor after a crash, even if you feel fine. Call 911 for an emergency.

The CDC says some concussion symptoms may not show up for hours or days. MedlinePlus says the same about head injuries.

Some brain injury symptoms show up a few days or weeks later. A person can have a mild brain injury and not know it.

Which signs after a crash mean I should call 911?

Call 911 or go to the ER if you see signs of a serious injury. These include trouble breathing, heavy bleeding, severe chest pain, or passing out.

After a head injury, the CDC says to call 911 or go to an emergency room for a headache that gets worse and does not go away. Other danger signs include repeated vomiting, slurred speech, seizures, or being very drowsy or hard to wake.

Call 911 if you think someone has a spinal cord injury. Do not move them unless they are in danger. Signs include weakness, numbness that spreads down an arm or leg, or loss of bladder or bowel control.

Wounds to the belly, chest, neck or pelvis can bleed inside the body. MedlinePlus says they may not look serious at first. Signs include belly pain and swelling, chest pain, and blood in the urine.

Our page on seat belt and airbag injuries covers chest and belly injuries.

Our page on brain injury after a crash lists more signs to watch for.

What does the evidence say about neck pain and stress that start later?

Health groups say both can start later. Neck pain may not start until the next day. PTSD symptoms usually begin within 3 months.

A sprained neck may not hurt until hours later or the next day. The pain may peak a day or so after the injury. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, or AAOS, says to see a doctor after a neck injury, even if you feel fine.

The National Institute of Mental Health, or NIMH, says PTSD symptoms sometimes start later than 3 months. Some people avoid driving or riding in a car after a serious crash.

These are general findings from health groups. They cannot tell you what caused your own symptoms.

How are injuries that show up later diagnosed and treated?

A provider will ask how you were hurt and check your symptoms. Care depends on the injury. Go back if symptoms get worse or do not get better.

The AAOS says a doctor checking a neck injury will ask how it happened.

After a concussion, the CDC says to tell your provider if symptoms get worse or you do not think you are getting better. Talk with them if symptoms last more than 2 to 3 weeks.

For neck pain, MedlinePlus says to contact your provider if it lasts more than a week with self-care. The same goes for numbness, tingling or weakness in an arm or hand. If neck pain after an injury leaves you unable to move an arm or hand, have someone call 911.

MedlinePlus says to contact your provider for back pain after a hard blow or fall. Also call about pain that travels down a leg below the knee.

We also suggest writing down the date each symptom started.

Why do the records from my first visit matter?

Your first records show when you got care and what the doctor found. Insurers look at medical records and bills. Keep a copy of each one.

The Texas Department of Insurance says to keep your medical records and bills to show your insurer.

You may have records at the hospital, your doctor’s office and other places. The law gives you a right to a copy of your medical and billing records, with few exceptions.

A provider must act on your request within 30 days. It can take 30 more days, once, if it tells you why in writing.

MedlinePlus suggests keeping your own health record. It can list your tests, the results and your medicines.

Can I claim care costs from my own insurance if symptoms start later?

You may, through your own personal injury protection (PIP) or medical payments coverage. Some no-fault states set a time to get care or give notice. Your policy may also set a time to report a claim.

Texas’s insurance department says PIP, medical payments or uninsured motorist coverage might pay your medical bills.

Florida: PIP pays for medical care only if you get first care within 14 days of the crash. It must be from a doctor, a hospital, emergency medical services or certain other providers.

New York: give written notice of a no-fault claim within 30 days of the crash. A late notice can still be accepted if you give a clear and fair reason in writing.

Minnesota: a policy can set a time of at least six months to give notice. Late notice cuts your benefits only if the insurer shows it was harmed. Then it cuts them only by that much.

Massachusetts: you have up to two years from the crash to give a PIP claim to the insurer.

Texas’s insurance department says most companies set deadlines for claims. Rules differ in other states, so read your policy or ask your insurer.

What if I want to talk with a law firm about an injury that showed up later?

You can get care, keep your records and file insurance claims on your own. The steps above show where to start.

Some people also want to ask a law firm about an injury that showed up after a crash. People’s Justice is not a law firm. We do not review your crash or recommend a lawyer. If you want, you can use the form on this page to ask to be connected with a law firm that pays us to advertise.