A car accident is something that no one expects. Right after the crash, you may feel numbness or pain due to the injuries and the shock on your body. Physical injuries such as bruises, fractures, and bleeding are obvious, but you may not be aware of other injuries such as pulled muscles, tissue damage, sprains, or even internal bleeding. That’s because many of these kinds of injuries aren’t apparent immediately following the incident.
Hidden injuries are one of the main reasons you should seek medication attention immediately after an accident. A doctor will examine you and identify any hidden injuries you may need to watch out for in the days following the accident. With the onset of any symptoms, the doctor can also quickly get you into a treatment plan.
Not only is this good for your physical well-being, it also helps your personal injury claim. Here are the top five potential car accident injuries you should know about.
Concussion
Source: medicalnewstoday.com
A concussion is a traumatic brain injury caused by violent head movements or when your head hits the steering wheel, dash, or a window during a car accident. When your head jerks back and forth rapidly or strikes something hard, your brain can hit the inside of your skull, which can cause a brain injury. Concussions can lead to symptoms such as headaches, memory loss, dizziness, nausea, blurred vision, balance issues, and sensitivity to light and noise.
Concussions are among the biggest risks in car accidents, and treatment often involves pain management, physical and mental tests. Personal injury lawyers often note that these injuries can form part of the damages you demand with your personal injury compensation claim. Learn more here: https://attorneybrianwhite.com/houston-car-accident-attorney/.
Whiplash or Cervical Strain
Whiplash or cervical strain is also another common injury that can go unnoticed immediately after a car accident. The cervical spine supports your head and can get injured when your head swings back and forth due to the force of an accident. This can cause spinal injuries to the vertebrae, nerves, discs between bones, ligaments, muscles, and other neck tissues. These injuries often result in neck pain, arm pains, and limited range of motion.
The whiplash symptoms may even get worse if you’re older, have had an accident in the past, or are already suffering from neck or back pain. Symptoms may not appear for a few days. By understanding the causes of whiplash and identifying symptoms early, you can get on early pain management and physical therapy to help you recover and relieve the pain.
Internal Bleeding
Source: foylelegal.com
Internal bleeding can be fatal and is often not apparent until well after an accident. Your heart, liver, lungs, spleen, large blood vessels or brain could get injured and cause internal bleeding. The most common symptoms are swelling in affected areas, abdominal pain, fainting, seizures, dizziness, or headaches.
It may take a few days before symptoms show. That’s why it’s vital to get a medical evaluation after an accident to diagnose any hidden injuries that could cause internal bleeding.
Herniated Spinal Disc
A disc between your spinal vertebrae can slip during an accident, causing it to push through a tear or rupture in the outer part. This type of injury can happen in any part of the spine and irritate a nerve causing numbness, pain, or weakness in the legs or arms. If the injury is severe, a herniated disc can lead to paralysis. Symptoms often don’t show immediately after an accident.
Treatment options include pain management, cortisone injections, physical therapy, and muscle relaxants.
Swelling or Pain in the Abdomen
Source: carolinadigestive.com
Another hidden car accident injury that you might not know about is abdominal pain or swelling. If your abdomen hurts after a car accident, this should be taken seriously as it could signal the development of internal bleeding and other conditions that need immediate care.
This type of injury can lead to bowel obstruction and eventually a perforated intestine, which requires emergency surgery in order to prevent death. It’s not uncommon for abdominal pain or swelling to develop in the aftermath of a car accident. If you experience this symptom after an incident, then you should seek medical attention immediately.
Stiffness or Pain in the Shoulders or Neck
After an accident, you may also experience stiffness or pain in your shoulders, neck, and back. This is due to the abrupt movements of these regions during a collision. You may not feel the pain or stiffness immediately after an accident, but you may later in the day or after a stressful event.
In many cases, people are in shock after an accident and don’t feel any pain or stiffness because they’re too distracted by everything that has just happened. But as soon as you take a step back from it all, your body begins sending out those signals again. This is when you may feel pain or stiffness later. It’s important to learn how to manage and relieve this pain so that it does not lead to more serious problems down the road.
To manage the discomfort and ensure proper diagnosis and treatment, it’s best to see a doctor or chiropractor. Don’t leave these symptoms untreated, as they can lead to more significant injuries or nerve damage, which may be permanent.
Psychological Issues
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Car accidents are traumatic and painful experiences. Whether you sustained minor injuries, lost a loved one, or were involved in a multiple-car accident that caused severe injuries, the trauma that follows could lead to psychological issues. Treatment and recovery may be long, painful, and challenging for you and your family.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a common problem for people who have been in a car accident. Coping with the aftermath of an accident can be a heavy burden for everyone. A combination of all these factors can lead to anxiety, depression, nightmares, insomnia, and suffering. A proper diagnosis is vital to help you get proper treatment to regain your mental health and well-being.
Consult a Personal Injury Lawyer
Source: westmorelandinjurylawyers.com
It’s advisable to hire a personal injury lawyer when you have been injured in a car accident. If someone else caused you to get hurt, you should work with a lawyer to file a personal injury lawsuit and get fair compensation for your injuries, car damages, and pain and suffering.
It’s important to know what you should do if you’re involved in an accident or witnessing one first-hand. Keep your eyes on the road next time and practice situational awareness when driving to prevent accidents and injuries to you and the ones you love.
