Cross-border personal injury symptoms can be delayed

Many people who are involved in car accidents that seem minor walk away grateful for escaping injury, only to start experiencing pain days or even weeks later. Such delayed symptoms could present problems if the victim is a British Columbia resident who was injured during a trip across the border for a day of shopping in Seattle. Unanticipated medical expenses can adversely affect anyone’s finances.

The body produces natural painkillers called endorphins and adrenaline, and once they wear off and return to normal levels, the accident victim may experience the pain that was hidden before. Accidents like rear-end bumper bashing could seem insignificant because there is only minor damage to the vehicles, but the occupants might suffer hidden injuries. Whiplash is the most common consequence of such an accident, which puts excessive strain on the vertebrae and the spinal column. Delayed symptoms could include neck and back pain, dizziness, headaches, numbness, pins and needles and other sensory issues.

Soft tissue injuries such as sprains, strains and damaged or torn ligaments can become evident after days, and then develop into long-term problems. These injuries can become apparent when bleeding under the skin causes discolouration, along with swelling, pain and the loss of strength in the injured areas. Another aftereffect of an accident could go far beyond the shaky feeling of shock after a crash when a victim suffers flashbacks and nightmares with the inability to focus on anything other than the crash. This is known as post-traumatic stress disorder, which might need extensive therapy to be resolved.

All these issues could lead to mounting medical bills and maybe even lost income. Where would a victim of such an accident even start to recover damages if the incident was caused by a negligent driver south of the border? The solution to this dilemma might be to consult with a British Columbia lawyer who is experienced in dealing with cases that involve cross-border personal injury and dealing with the legal and insurance procedures on both sides of the border.