While uncommon, delayed injuries from car accidents can happen. And if you aren’t vigilant enough, some of these injuries may be internal, which can also be potentially life-threatening or have detrimental long-term effects.
This is why as soon as after the accident, even if you may
look physically unscathed, it’s always a good idea to see a doctor. This is to ensure
you’re in tip-top shape and know some possible symptoms to look out for in the
coming days after the accident. Most importantly, once the delayed injuries
start to manifest, inform a trusted lawyer from law firms like fasigbrooks.com,
for car accident claims and settlements.
Here’s a list of the common delayed injury symptoms you have to be on the lookout for after a car accident:
1. Headaches
Even if you’ve just recently had an accident, headaches caused
by a car
accident can often be difficult to notice. After all, headaches are
also quite common, and they can't immediately be associated with a car
accident. In fact, most people will dismiss this symptom and reduce it to a
normal headache.
The main difference here, however, is you already know that
this headache is probably more harmful than it seems. You've recently had an
accident. So, it’s reasonable to consider the headache as an after-effect and
consult your doctor about it.
In determining whether your headache is a delayed injury
symptom, you have to take note of the following sensations as well:
·
Tenderness
on your shoulders, neck, and scalp
·
Pressure
and tightness across your forehead
· Pressure on the sides of your back and head
2. Neck Pain Or Stiffness
Whiplash is the catch-all term to include neck pain and
stiffness directly resulting from your car accident. But, even with a strong
impact, the symptoms may not start to develop until later. These are quite
common, especially for victims of a rear-end collision.
When neck pain or stiffness starts to develop, your doctor
will most likely order an x-ray, CT scan, or MRI to get to the root cause of the
problem.
Some of the symptoms of neck pain or stiffness you should be
on the lookout for include:
·
Dizziness
·
Pain
that extends to the shoulder area
· Tingling and numbness in the arms, fingers, and hands
3. Stomach Or Abdominal Pain
If you leave stomach pain untreated for an extended time
frame, this can be potentially life-threatening. So, once you start to develop
abdominal pain a few days after your accident, act on it immediately by
visiting your doctor. Stomach pain can be a sign of internal bleeding, which is
very dangerous.
More so, patients who suffer from stomach pain that lingers
or develops days after the accident will also have accompanying symptoms, such
as:
·
Fainting
·
Headache
·
Lightheadedness
· Bruising on the skin
4. Mood Swings Or Personality Changes
Not all delayed injuries arising from a car accident are
physical. Some of these are mental, but this difference in the classification
doesn’t mean that these injuries are any less significant. Mental injuries from
a car accident can often be long-term, if not life-long, particularly when
they’re not given proper attention and care.
Personality changes happen when the victim is moodier than
usual, feels consistently tired, or is generally depressed. These are also
characterized by sudden aloof tendencies, keeping to themselves, or sulking,
and not wanting to do any productive work.
Others may also end up being traumatized from the auto accident that any loud noise will scare them, or they'll refuse to ride any
vehicle for an extended period.
If the victim shows new and out-of-the-ordinary behavioral tendencies, then it’s fair enough to attribute these to the accident. Be sure to see a psychologist as soon as possible—to ensure these problems don’t escalate to dangerous, suicidal, or depressive tendencies.
5. Back Pain
Another seriously delayed injury symptom arising from car
accidents is back pain. If you’re lucky, the pain may only consist of minor
sprains and strains. However, there can be severe injuries like herniated discs, which you have to pay close attention to.
Back pain as a delayed injury is common to rear-end and side collisions. Don’t neglect this, as your back essentially holds your spine. This injury, if left untreated, may lead to life-long effects like paralysis.
Conclusion
Depending on the severity of the car accident and the impact, severe injuries may occur to those involved. Some of these injuries won't manifest their symptoms right away. However, you should always be watchful as delayed injuries can be life-threatening. The best recourse for this is to see your doctor right away and seek assistance from a lawyer. A doctor can provide you with a proper diagnosis and treatment, while a lawyer can put the symptoms and treatment on record for your claims.