After a crash on the Baltimore Beltway (I-695), you might feel fortunate to walk away with what seem like minor injuries. But if neck pain or persistent headaches begin days or even weeks later, it’s important not to ignore them. A Maryland car accident lawyer can help you understand how delayed injuries are evaluated and what steps to take next.
At Furman Honick Law, we often speak with clients whose pain didn’t show up right away. Injuries from a car accident don’t always follow a predictable timeline, and the effects of even a low-speed collision can take time to develop.
You may have first focused on the damage to your vehicle or the insurance process, but your health is just as important. If symptoms appear later, they may still be related to the crash and should be addressed with both medical attention and legal guidance.
Delayed Pain After a Crash: Why Maryland Car Accident Injuries Can Take Time to Appear
A Maryland car accident lawyer often works with clients who felt fine immediately after a crash but developed pain hours or days later. This is a common experience for people involved in accidents throughout Anne Arundel County, Howard County, and surrounding areas. Delayed symptoms are not unusual and can be explained by how the body responds to trauma.
Adrenaline Can Temporarily Hide Pain
After a collision, your body produces adrenaline to help you stay alert and respond quickly. This hormone can suppress pain signals in the short term. You might leave the scene of the accident thinking you escaped serious injury, only to feel pain once the adrenaline fades.
Inflammation Develops Gradually
Inflammation is another reason injuries can take time to appear. As the Mayo Clinic explains, inflammation is the body’s natural response to trauma and can build slowly, causing pain, stiffness, and swelling over time.
This swelling may increase over time, bringing stiffness, soreness, and limited movement. A Maryland car accident lawyer can help show how these symptoms are directly connected to the crash, even if they were not immediate.
Certain Injuries Are Known for Delayed Symptoms
Some injuries don’t produce obvious symptoms right away. These may include:
- Whiplash: A soft tissue injury that often starts with mild neck tightness and gradually becomes more painful.
- Back injuries: Symptoms such as muscle spasms or nerve pain may not set in until the next day or later.
- Concussions: Headaches, dizziness, or trouble focusing can take time to become noticeable.
Even low-speed crashes in places like Montgomery County or Prince George’s County can result in injuries that are not immediately clear.
Daily Activities Can Reveal the Full Extent of an Injury
You might brush off minor aches and try to move on with your routine. However, returning to daily tasks like working in Columbia, carrying groceries, or picking up your children in Owings Mills can make the pain more obvious. These normal movements can highlight just how much your body was affected.
Speak With a Maryland Car Accident Lawyer
If you are dealing with new or worsening pain after a car crash, it is important to talk with a Maryland car accident lawyer. Even if your symptoms did not show up right away, they may still be covered under your claim. A lawyer can help document your injuries in a Maryland Car Accident properly and make sure your legal rights are protected.
Common Delayed-Onset Injuries After Maryland Auto Accidents
A Maryland car accident lawyer often helps clients who felt fine immediately after a crash, only to experience serious symptoms later. While any injury can be delayed, some are more commonly seen in these situations.
- Whiplash and Neck Injuries: Common in rear-end collisions, whiplash happens when the neck is suddenly jolted forward and back. Symptoms like neck pain, stiffness, headaches, and dizziness often appear 24 to 72 hours later.
- Back Injuries: Herniated discs, muscle strains, or ligament damage may begin as minor soreness. Over time, you might notice increased pain, numbness, or weakness if a nerve is affected.
- Concussions and Brain Injuries: A concussion can result from crash impact even without a direct head injury. Symptoms such as headaches, confusion, memory issues, or light sensitivity may show up gradually.
- Soft Tissue Injuries: Sprains and strains in areas like the shoulders, knees, or wrists may seem minor at first. Pain, swelling, and reduced range of motion can develop as the injury worsens.
- Internal Injuries: Internal bleeding or organ damage might not cause immediate symptoms. Signs like abdominal pain, deep bruising, or dizziness can appear hours or days later and require urgent care.
If you are experiencing delayed symptoms after a crash, a Maryland car accident lawyer can help you document your injuries and pursue compensation through a well-supported claim.
What to Do If Pain Appears Days or Weeks After a Maryland Car Accident
If you begin to feel pain days or weeks after a car accident in Maryland, it may still be related to the crash. These delayed injuries are common and can affect your health and any personal injury claim. A Maryland car accident lawyer can help you take the right steps.
Seek Medical Care Immediately
Don’t ignore new symptoms that develop after the crash. If you start to feel pain or discomfort, whether the crash happened in Baltimore, Montgomery County, or another part of Maryland, it is important to see a doctor as soon as possible.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends seeking a medical evaluation even if symptoms appear minor at first. Make sure to explain that your symptoms started after the collision and provide a detailed account of how you feel. Follow your doctor’s treatment plan, which may include medication, physical therapy, or referrals to specialists.
Getting prompt medical care not only supports your recovery but also creates a clear record linking your injuries to the accident. This documentation is essential if you decide to pursue a personal injury claim.
Notify Insurance, but Proceed with Caution
Notify your own insurance company about the accident and provide updates if new symptoms appear later. Use caution when dealing with the at-fault driver’s insurance provider. You are not obligated to give a recorded statement, and it is best to avoid doing so without first speaking to a Maryland car accident lawyer.
If you communicate with them, keep your comments brief and limited to the basic facts, including that you are now receiving medical care. Do not discuss who may be at fault or make guesses about your injuries.
Get Legal Support for Your Injury Claim
Delayed symptoms can complicate your injury claim, as insurance adjusters may question whether your injuries are related to the accident. A Maryland car accident lawyer can help establish that connection by working with your medical providers to document your condition.
They can also handle insurance communications and pursue compensation that may cover your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
If you are experiencing pain after a car accident in Maryland, even if it started later, speak with a Maryland car accident lawyer to protect your health and your legal rights.
How Delayed Injury Symptoms Can Affect Your Maryland Car Accident Claim
When symptoms appear days or weeks after a crash, insurance companies may question whether your injuries are truly related to the accident. The timing of your medical treatment can become a key issue in your personal injury claim. A Maryland car accident lawyer can help you respond effectively to these challenges and protect your right to potential compensation.
How Insurance Adjusters Handle Delayed Injury Claims
Insurance adjusters often argue that serious injuries would have shown up right away. If there is a delay in treatment or a gap in medical care, they may claim that your injuries are unrelated or not as severe as you say. In some cases, they may suggest that another event caused your symptoms or accuse you of exaggerating.
This is a common tactic, and any experienced Maryland car accident lawyer has seen it before. That is why consistent medical documentation is so important. A lawyer can work with medical experts to explain how delayed symptoms, such as whiplash or soft tissue injuries, are consistent with the type of trauma sustained in your crash. This medical insight can help counter insurer arguments and strengthen your case.
Proving Your Injuries Are Connected to the Crash
To recover compensation, you must show that your injuries were caused by the accident. When symptoms are delayed, this usually requires a combination of medical records, including doctor’s notes, imaging results, and treatment documentation. A Maryland car accident lawyer may also consult with medical experts who can explain how your symptoms developed and why they are consistent with the collision.
Your own notes or journal entries about your symptoms can also help, especially when paired with evidence like police reports and photos of the vehicle damage. This type of documentation helps demonstrate the severity of the crash and how it may have caused delayed symptoms. An attorney can use this information to build a clear and persuasive case.
Maryland Law and Delayed Injury Claims
A few specific legal rules in Maryland affect how delayed injury claims are handled. A Maryland car accident lawyer can explain how these apply to your case and help you avoid common pitfalls.
Statute of Limitations in Maryland
Under Maryland law, you generally have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim. This deadline, outlined in Maryland Code, Courts and Judicial Proceedings § 5-101, typically starts running on the day of the crash, not when symptoms appear. Delaying legal action can put your claim at risk, so it’s important to speak with a lawyer promptly.
What Compensation May Be Available
If your injuries are clearly linked to the crash and the other driver was at fault, you may be eligible for compensation. This can include payment for medical expenses, lost wages, and reduced earning potential if your ability to work has been affected. You may also pursue damages for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Maryland law sets a limit on non-economic damages, including compensation for pain and suffering. Understanding the Limitations on Maryland Car Accident Claims is essential, as these caps can directly impact your settlement. A Maryland car accident lawyer can help you navigate these restrictions and work to pursue the highest compensation allowed under the law.
Why Partnering with Furman Honick Law Matters for Your Maryland Car Accident Case
When you're dealing with the unexpected onset of pain days or weeks after a car accident, you need a legal team that understands the medical and legal complexities involved. At Furman Honick Law, our Maryland car accident lawyers are committed to helping clients throughout Maryland navigate these challenging situations.
Furman Honick Law's Strategy for Delayed Maryland Car Accident Injury Cases
We take a proactive and thorough approach because insurance companies often question claims involving delayed symptoms. We start by listening carefully to your account and tracking how your symptoms have developed. We then gather all the evidence needed at the Scene After a Maryland Car Accident to support your case, including your complete medical history related to the accident and input from your treating physicians.
If necessary, we consult with medical experts who can explain how delayed-onset injuries happen and connect your condition to the crash. We also document how the injury has affected your life, from your ability to work to your daily activities and overall well-being.
This careful preparation helps us build strong, well-supported cases that respond directly to the tactics insurers use to challenge delayed injury claims. Every Maryland car accident lawyer on our team is ready to advocate for you with experience and confidence.
Fighting for the Recovery You Deserve After a Maryland Car Accident
At Furman Honick Law, our Maryland car accident attorneys are skilled negotiators and experienced trial lawyers. We advocate aggressively with insurance companies to pursue compensation for your injuries, including those that appear days or even weeks after the crash.
We know how insurance companies operate and the arguments they use to downplay or deny delayed injury claims. Our team is ready to push back with the medical evidence, legal strategy, and local knowledge needed to prove your case. If the insurer refuses to make a reasonable offer, we will not hesitate to take your case to court.
You may have the right to seek compensation when another driver’s negligence causes harm, even if the full extent of your injuries is not immediately apparent. From busy highways like I-695 and Route 40 to neighborhood streets in Catonsville, we understand how Maryland collisions happen and how to build strong cases around them.
Get the Legal Support You Need to Recover
Pain that shows up days or weeks after a crash is still valid and deserves proper care. If an insurance adjuster tries to minimize your experience, don’t wait. Protect your health and your legal rights by speaking with a team that understands what you are going through.
The Maryland car accident lawyers at Furman Honick Law are here to listen, help you understand your options, and pursue the compensation available based on your injuries.
Your well-being is our top concern. Call us today at (410) 844-6000 to schedule your free consultation.
FAQs for Maryland Car Accident Lawyers
What should I do if I start feeling pain days after a car accident in Maryland?
Seek medical attention immediately. Explain to the doctor that your symptoms developed after a recent car accident. Then, consider contacting a Maryland car accident lawyer to discuss your situation, as documenting the link between the accident and your delayed injuries is crucial.
Will the insurance company believe my injuries are from the accident if they showed up late?
Insurance companies might be skeptical of delayed injuries. They may try to argue the injuries are unrelated or pre-existing. This is why thorough medical documentation and prompt legal advice from a Maryland auto accident lawyer are so important to counter their arguments.
How long do I have to report delayed injuries from a car accident in Maryland?
While you should report injuries to your doctor as soon as they appear, the legal deadline for filing a personal injury lawsuit in Maryland is generally three years from the date of the accident. However, it's best not to wait, as evidence can become harder to gather over time.
Can I still get compensation if my car accident injuries appeared weeks later?
Yes, you may still be able to seek compensation if your injuries appeared weeks after the accident, as long as there is evidence showing they were caused by the crash. A Maryland car accident attorney can help gather the necessary proof and build a strong case based on the details of your situation.
What types of delayed injuries are common after car accidents?
Common delayed-onset injuries include whiplash (neck and shoulder pain), back injuries (like herniated discs), concussions or mild traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), and various soft tissue sprains and strains. Symptoms might include headaches, dizziness, stiffness, radiating pain, or cognitive difficulties.