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Narrator: Welcome to Peachtree Injury Talk with attorney Jordan Jewkes.
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| 00:04 |
Mike Leon: Hi everyone, and welcome to a brand new episode of Peachtree Injury Talk with Jordan Jewkes. I’m your host, Mike Leon.
Today, we’re discussing delayed pain after a car accident—why it happens, what it means for your claim, and what steps you should take if symptoms appear days later.
Jordan has been a strong advocate for injured victims, fighting against a system that is often unfair. He’s a seasoned trial lawyer and former injury defense attorney, giving you expert insider knowledge to help fight for your injuries.
Jordan, let’s dive right in. Why do some injuries not show up immediately after a car accident?
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| 00:46 |
Jordan Jewkes: Thanks for having me, Mike. This is a common question. The simple answer is every case is different. Every accident affects each person’s body uniquely. For example, if four people are in the same car that is rear-ended by a truck, each person might experience pain in different areas and at different times.
Sometimes symptoms don’t appear until hours or even days later. This is especially common with spine and head injuries. For instance, adrenaline or inflammation can delay the onset of pain for 24 to 48 hours after the incident.
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| 02:00 |
Mike Leon: That’s a great point. Besides the spine and head, what other injuries commonly show delayed symptoms?
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| 02:10 |
Jordan Jewkes: The most common areas are the neck and lower back. Head injuries, especially brain injuries, can also be difficult to detect right away—sometimes symptoms take days or even weeks to appear. Shoulder and hip injuries also tend to show up later. Everyone's body reacts differently.
A good analogy is getting a bruise. You might feel a hit but not see the bruise until days later. You might think you’re fine initially but later realize medical treatment is needed.
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| 03:18 |
Mike Leon: I feel that! I played basketball yesterday and am feeling it today.
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| 03:22 |
Jordan Jewkes: Exactly! Also, as we get older, our bodies change—ligaments tighten, muscles get sore after activities we initially felt fine doing. So delayed pain is very normal.
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| 03:55 |
Mike Leon: So what about those who don’t seek treatment immediately? Does waiting to see a doctor hurt their personal injury case?
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| 04:03 |
Jordan Jewkes: The short answer is it shouldn’t, as long as you seek treatment when you do feel pain. Unfortunately, insurance companies often argue that a delay in treatment means you weren’t really injured. They’ll say things like, “You were in an accident Monday but didn’t see a doctor until Thursday or later—so your injury isn’t real.”
That’s standard insurance company strategy. But it’s important to be honest and accurate about what happened. Most people, including potential jurors, understand delayed pain because they’ve experienced or seen it before.
Many people, especially men, tend to downplay pain, take over-the-counter remedies, and keep going to work without complaining. Others, like women or caregivers, often don’t want to make a fuss until it’s necessary. That’s normal and understandable.
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| 06:18 |
Mike Leon: So if symptoms show up days or weeks later, what should a person do?
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| 06:23 |
Jordan Jewkes: They should seek medical care immediately once symptoms appear. Getting prompt medical documentation is key—it shows you were in an accident and now have symptoms related to it.
If weeks have passed without treatment, it can be harder to prove injury to an insurance company, but you should still get checked out. Regardless of claims, your health is the priority.
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| 07:39 |
Mike Leon: Can a person still file a claim if they didn’t go to the hospital right after the accident?
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| 07:43 |
Jordan Jewkes: Yes, they can. Insurance companies may try to deny or reduce the claim using delayed treatment as an excuse, but don’t let that stop you. A good attorney can explain the situation to insurance adjusters and juries.
Honesty is crucial. Being truthful about when symptoms appeared helps maintain your credibility. You might say, “I didn’t think it was serious at first, but when the pain didn’t go away, I got treatment.”
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| 09:01 |
Mike Leon: Great advice. What’s the best overall advice you’d give someone unsure if they’re injured after a wreck?
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| 09:04 |
Jordan Jewkes: If you’re unsure and have any pain at all, get it checked out by a doctor. At minimum, you’ll have documentation of your accident and symptoms.
Early evaluation allows doctors to run tests like x-rays and catch injuries sooner. It also helps with your case later on. If you wait weeks, it’s harder to connect the injury to the accident.
Keep in mind, getting in to see a specialist quickly can be difficult since they usually have a several-week wait for new patients. That’s why many start at urgent care, with a chiropractor, or with their primary care physician—they can usually see you within a day or two after the accident.
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| 10:17 |
Mike Leon: Jordan, thanks so much for your time and valuable insights.
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| 10:19 |
Jordan Jewkes: Thanks, Mike. I appreciate being here.
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| 10:22 |
Mike Leon: And thank you all for tuning into Peachtree Injury Talk. If you were recently in a car accident and symptoms started showing up—even if the crash seemed minor—don’t wait. Visit jewkesfirm.com [spelled J-E-W-K-E-S] to connect with Jordan and his team. They’re here to help you understand your rights and fight for what you deserve.
Be sure to like, subscribe, and leave us a review. We’ll see you next time!
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| 10:49 |
Narrator: Thanks for watching. Be sure to hit that like and subscribe button and leave us a review in the comments.
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