Common Injuries With Delayed Symptoms After a Car Accident

While some car accident injuries are immediately apparent, others may not manifest until days or weeks later. Therefore, don't ignore the need for a medical evaluation after a car accident, even if you feel fine.



Discover some of the most common injuries with delayed symptoms after a car accident.

Whiplash

Whiplash happens when your head is suddenly whipped forward and backward, resulting in strain on the muscles and ligaments in your neck. Whiplash is a prevalent car accident injury, but the injury's symptoms may not appear until days or even weeks after the accident. You may begin to experience neck pain, stiffness, headaches, dizziness, or fatigue immediately. These symptoms may worsen over the next few days as inflammation sets in.

Traumatic Brain Injury

A traumatic brain injury (TBI), also known as concussion, occurs when your head hits an object or is subjected to a sudden, violent jolt. A TBI can range from mild to severe, and the symptoms may not be immediately apparent.

Some common concussion symptoms include headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion, mood changes, and sleep problems. Unfortunately, these symptoms may not appear until days or weeks after the accident.

See a doctor immediately for a proper diagnosis and treatment if you experience any of these symptoms after a car accident.

Internal Bleeding

Internal bleeding is a severe condition that can occur after a car accident, even if you don't experience any visible injuries.

Internal bleeding happens when an organ or blood vessel is damaged, and the blood leaks into the body cavity. The injury commonly occurs if you hit your seatbelt during the accident.

Symptoms of internal bleeding include abdominal pain, chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, and lightheadedness. See a doctor immediately if you experience any of these symptoms after a car accident. The injury is a medical emergency and can be fatal if not treated immediately.

PTSD

Car accidents, regardless of the severity, can be traumatic. For example, you might develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) if you are involved in a life-threatening accident.

You may seem fine hours or days after an accident. But you may start to experience symptoms of PTSD weeks or even months later. These symptoms can include flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety, depression, and difficulty sleeping. If you don't manage the symptoms, they can become debilitating.

If you experience any of these symptoms after a car accident, seek help from a mental health professional. You can manage the symptoms and live a healthy, fulfilling life with treatment.

Back Injuries

Car accidents often result in minor to severe back injuries. The most common back injuries after a car accident are herniated discs, spinal cord injury, and spinal fractures. Whichever type of back injury you may have, the symptoms may not appear until days or weeks after the accident.

The most common symptom of a back injury is pain. However, you may also experience numbness, tingling, weakness, and muscle spasms. Seek immediate medical attention for proper diagnosis before the symptoms worsen.

As a type of back injury, spinal injury is among the most severe injuries resulting from a car accident. If you don't treat the issue immediately, the injury may escalate to cause paralysis. Although the severe symptoms of a spinal cord injury may not manifest immediately, you may experience back pain, balance problems, and difficulty walking right away.

If you experience any of the above injury symptoms after a car accident, see a doctor immediately and get a proper diagnosis. You will need the medical reports to file a personal injury claim. Also, seek assistance from a reputable attorney to help you get the compensation you deserve.

You can trust us at Wegner & Associates to guide you through the claim filing process and help you get the compensation you deserve. Contact us for more inquiries about delayed injuries after car accidents.