What If My Injury Gets Worse Months After a Car Accident?
Not every car accident injury shows its full impact right away. Some injuries appear minor at first but develop into serious conditions weeks or even months later. If you’ve been in a crash in Maine, you might ask: What happens if my injury gets worse over time? Can I still recover compensation?
Understanding your rights under Maine law can protect you from unexpected medical bills and ensure you receive fair compensation for your long-term injuries.
Why Some Injuries Get Worse Over Time
Many accident victims walk away from a crash believing they only suffered soreness or a minor strain. However, adrenaline often masks pain, and certain injuries progress slowly. Common examples include:
- Whiplash: Neck stiffness and headaches may intensify weeks later.
- Herniated discs or spinal injuries: Back pain can worsen as swelling increases or nerves become compressed.
- Traumatic brain injuries: Concussions may lead to memory problems, dizziness, or personality changes that develop gradually.
- Internal injuries: Organ damage or internal bleeding may not show symptoms right away but become life-threatening over time.
Because delayed injuries are common, Maine law allows victims to pursue compensation even if symptoms surface long after the crash.
Maine’s Statute of Limitations
In Maine, you generally have six years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. This time frame gives you the opportunity to recognize delayed injuries and seek legal action if necessary. However, waiting too long can weaken your case, especially if evidence fades or witnesses become harder to track down.
Insurance companies often pressure victims to settle quickly. If you accept a settlement before understanding the full extent of your injuries, you may lose the right to seek additional compensation later. That’s why consulting with a Maine personal injury lawyer early in the process is crucial.
Proving That Your Injury Worsened
When your injury develops or worsens months after the accident, you must connect the condition back to the crash. Insurance companies may argue that something else caused your medical issues. To protect your claim, you should:
- Seek medical care immediately after the accident. Even if you feel fine, a doctor can create an early record that links future complications to the crash.
- Attend follow-up appointments. Gaps in treatment give insurers room to argue that your injury isn’t serious or related.
- Document symptoms. Keep a journal noting changes in pain, mobility, or daily function.
- Save all medical records and bills. Detailed records provide a clear picture of how your condition evolved over time.
By consistently documenting your health, you strengthen the connection between the crash and your worsening injury.
Types of Compensation for Worsening Injuries
If your injury worsens months after a Maine car accident, you may recover compensation for both immediate and long-term damages, including:
- Medical expenses: Emergency visits, surgeries, physical therapy, and future care.
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity: If your condition prevents you from returning to work or limits your career.
- Pain and suffering: Physical pain, emotional distress, and loss of quality of life.
- Long-term disability costs: Home modifications, assistive devices, or in-home care if your condition leads to permanent impairment.
The more severe your injury becomes, the more critical it is to calculate future expenses accurately.
How Insurance Companies Handle Delayed Injuries
Insurance adjusters often challenge claims for delayed or worsening injuries. They may argue that:
- The injury existed before the crash.
- A different incident caused your symptoms.
- You exaggerated or failed to seek timely medical care.
Because of these tactics, injured passengers and drivers in Maine often struggle to secure fair settlements on their own. An experienced lawyer can counter these arguments with medical evidence, expert testimony, and a strong case strategy.
Steps to Take if Your Injury Worsens Months Later
If you notice new or worsening symptoms after a Maine car accident, follow these steps:
- See a doctor immediately. Early evaluation creates a clear medical record.
- Notify your attorney. A lawyer can preserve evidence and adjust your claim.
- Avoid speaking directly with insurance adjusters. They may try to minimize your worsening condition.
- Stay consistent with treatment. Insurance companies use treatment gaps against you.
These actions protect both your health and your legal claim.
Why You Shouldn’t Delay Legal Help
Even though Maine’s statute of limitations is relatively long, time works against accident victims in other ways. Medical records may get lost, witnesses’ memories fade, and insurance companies become more aggressive as claims drag on.
A Maine personal injury attorney ensures you don’t miss critical deadlines, undervalue your claim, or accept a settlement that doesn’t cover your future medical needs.
Call a Maine Car Accident Lawyer Today
If your injury worsened months after a Maine car accident, you still have rights. Don’t let insurance companies dismiss your claim or pressure you into an unfair settlement.
At Peter Thompson & Associates, we have decades of experience helping Maine accident victims recover the compensation they deserve. We know how to prove delayed injuries, fight back against insurance tactics, and protect your financial future.
Call today for a free consultation and learn how we can help you secure the care and compensation you need.