Is it possible that the pain and swelling I'm experiencing is related to a car accident that happened over a week ago?

Automobile accidents can range from small fender-benders to horrific crashes. But even the smallest of accidents can lead to lingering injuries. It is possible for delayed symptoms of spinal injuries to occur days after a car accident.

Seek treatment after an accident

It’s vitally important for your health and your protection to seek medical attention immediately after a car accident. Having a complete physical after an accident – whether you feel pain or not – gives your doctor a baseline to compare any initial complaints (or lack there-of) to any later complaints to see if they are related to the accident. For this reason, it’s also important to visit your doctor if you have any further pain, even if it’s a week or more later.

In the days and weeks following an accident, pay special attention to any aches or pains that could be the result of a spinal injury or a brain injury. The most common symptoms of these include neck pain, back pain, or headaches. Do not be afraid to ask your doctor to perform reasonable tests (such as an MRI or a CT scan) if you’ve been diagnosed with an injury, including a muscle strain, herniated discs, a brain injury, or post-traumatic osteoporosis. Follow your doctor’s instruction, and if you can’t afford the treatment or miss work from a disability, seek an attorney’s advice.

Seek legal advice

You lawyer is not a doctor, and can not tell you what your pains are caused by. But your lawyer can help you understand the legal ramifications after a car accident.