It is extremely common to suffer injuries after a car accident, even in minor ones. Injuries sustained in a car accident can vary from small bruises or cuts to life-altering injuries like damage to your spinal cord. Although many car accident injuries manifest minutes after the accident, some injuries may take some time before they show their symptoms.
Because of the adrenaline that starts to pump through your system, there may be a time when you don’t even notice the injury you’ve suffered. There also may be instances when even after the adrenaline has worn off, the symptoms of the damage you’ve sustained will not present itself until a few days or even weeks after the accident. After an accident, you should still keep an eye out for the following symptoms:
1. Headaches or dizziness. – Headache or dizziness after a car accident can mean a lot of things. It could be as simple as a minor concussion, or it could be a symptom of traumatic brain injury which can be fatal. If you’re experiencing headache or dizziness a few days after a car accident, it’s best to have a doctor evaluate your situation and to get proper treatment.
2. Neck or shoulder pain. – You might think that having neck or shoulder pain is normal after a car accident, especially if there is a delay between the collision and the manifestation of the symptom. However, neck or shoulder pain could be a symptom of whiplash (neck strain or neck sprain), herniated disc, and other spinal injuries. It’s best to contact a doctor to get x-rays and figure out the treatment you will need.
3. Back pain. – Same with neck or shoulder pain, it may take some time for you to feel back pain after a car accident. Just like neck and shoulder pain, back pain may also mean that you might be suffering from whiplash, herniated disc, and other spinal injuries. It could also indicate that there may be muscle or ligament damage or damage to your vertebrae.
4. Abdominal pain. – If you feel pain or swelling in your abdomen after an accident, you may be suffering from internal bleeding. Other symptoms of internal bleeding to watch out for are deep bruises, purplish skin, lightheadedness, and fainting. Internal bleeding can take awhile to manifest and can be fatal if not treated immediately.
5. Tingling or numbness. – Tingling or numbness in your limbs may mean that you’re suffering from pinched nerves. Your accident may have caused herniated disc which pinches nerves on your spine causing the numbness or tingling of your limbs, and this can lead to excruciating pain and other potential complications if not mended right away.
6. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or other psychological symptoms. – PTSD is a mental health condition which can manifest after a person experiences or witnesses a traumatic event. A car accident may cause a person to develop PTSD or other mental health conditions because of the trauma or because of the injuries sustained during the mishap.
It’s best to have a doctor check you for any injuries after an accident, even if you feel “fine”. Once you’ve experienced any of the symptoms mentioned above, or even ones that are not, you should go to a doctor to get evaluated since it may be life-threatening to wait. A prompt visit to the doctor may also help your insurance claim since you have medical records to show that you’ve suffered delayed symptoms after the accident. Here are some other tips when claiming insurance after a car accident.
Are you suffering injuries from a car accident? Contact us at Hogan Injury.
None of the content on Hoganinjury.com is legal advice nor is it a replacement for advice from a certified lawyer. Please consult a legal professional for further information.
