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How long after an accident can I file a personal injury claim?

On Behalf of | Dec 8, 2017 | Personal Injury |

Small accidents or non-catastrophic vehicle crashes are a reasonably common occurrence in a person’s life. You will probably be involved in a few throughout your lifetime-whether you hit another car or another person accidentally injuries you. However, what happens when that seemingly painless accident from weeks ago suddenly becomes-literally and figuratively-a pain in the neck?

Small tinges, ongoing joint pain or sudden daily headaches should not be ignored. Many people will begin to feel pain or slightly different than usual and pass it off as a new issue. This can be a problem when the source of the pain is a direct result of your car crash.

How to tell if your pain is from an accident

It can be evident that some injuries are from your past crash. Whiplash in a collision is a likely suspect of sudden neck pain that gets worse over time. You may not even notice an injury for a year or more. Muscles, tendons, and ligaments can all be affected by a crash, even at a very low speed. Soft tissue injuries like this can take weeks to appear and are not visible on the x-rays you may have done immediately following the crash.

Concussions may also take time to appear after head trauma. You should take note if over days and weeks you start to feel unfocused, have blurry vision, headaches or other symptoms appear. We recommend seeing a doctor immediately following an accident and again at the first sign of additional pain or symptoms.

How long can I file a claim for medical cost compensation?

Insurance companies may attempt to rush you into signing a form that will ruin your ability to pursue a personal injury claim. They may even say you can have more money if you sign now. Do not sign this form. You should wait until a doctor has checked you after the accident, and give it some time to wait for other symptoms to appear. In North Carolina, you have up to three years to file a claim.

Don’t settle for less compensation than your long-term car crash injuries may need. Work with a personal injury lawyer to assess your situation. They can file a claim and work for reasonable compensation to reduce your pain and suffering.

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