Some car accident injuries are identifiable immediately after a car accident, enabling you to know the treatment you require and the payments to request when seeking justice. However, some start appearing several days, weeks, or months after the accident. In this case, you may have to re-strategize how to get a favorable payment when negotiating with an insurance company or seeking justice in court. Here's what you need to know about injuries that appear months after an accident and their possible effects on your auto injury claim.
The Effects of Late-Appearing Injuries on Your Claim
When the other driver's insurer realizes that their client was the wrongdoer, they might try to negotiate a fair settlement with you. Their primary objective might be to convince you to accept their payment to prevent a court battle with you. However, you should never accept any compensation before getting a comprehensive medical examination to determine the severity of your injuries. It can help enable you to know the amount of money you need for treatment and how your injuries may affect your life in the future.
Unfortunately, insurance companies may never allow you to claim other damages after signing the settlement agreement. In this case, you might have blown your chance to bring the culprit to book and get the compensation you deserve. That demonstrates the importance of waiting until you know your exact medical condition before accepting any payment offer.
What the Law States and How to Get Justice in Such a Situation
The law specifies the duration for filing claims after a car crash. You must have gathered evidence and prepared for the case by that time because the court may not extend that period. Unfortunately, filing a lawsuit after the duration has expired can lead to dismissal even if you have a strong case. However, there are situations when the court might allow you more time to file your lawsuit.
That includes when you request an extension because you've started noticing signs you suspect could be associated with an accident you were involved in a while back. However, you may have a hard time linking your injuries to the accident in such a situation. In this case, you may consider hiring a lawyer to help you gather sufficient evidence to help substantiate your claim.
If your car accident injuries start emerging after some time, contact a car accident law firm—like Bangel, Bangel & Bangel—immediately. They can evaluate your case to determine your options. Your legal advisor can then help to ensure that they include the injuries in your claim to enable you to get the payment you deserve.
