Car accidents can happen in the blink of an eye. One moment, you’re cruising along; the next, you’re dealing with the aftermath of a collision. While some injuries, like broken bones or cuts, are immediately noticeable, others can take time to surface.
According to car accident attorneys, these injuries can be just as serious. Seeking medical attention promptly is essential for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Why Don’t Symptoms Show Up Immediately?
In the immediate chaos of a car accident, our bodies go into fight-or-flight mode. A surge of adrenaline kicks in, which can act as a natural painkiller, masking discomfort and injuries you might have sustained. This is why you might feel relatively okay after the accident, even if you are hurt.
Internal injuries are another reason symptoms can be delayed. Unlike a scraped knee, organ damage might not cause immediate pain. It takes time for internal bleeding to develop noticeable symptoms like severe abdominal pain or dizziness.
The same goes for soft tissue injuries, like whiplash, which affects muscles, ligaments, and tendons. These injuries often cause inflammation and stiffness, but these symptoms may not appear for hours or even days after the accident.
Common Car Accident Injuries with Delayed Symptoms
Even though you might walk away from a car accident feeling fine, there’s a chance you might have sustained injuries that don’t show symptoms right away. Here’s a look at some of the most common car accident injuries with delayed symptoms:
Soft Tissue Injuries
Our bodies are full of soft tissues, which are the muscles, ligaments, and tendons that connect our bones and help us move. Whiplash is a common soft tissue injury from car accidents. It happens when the sudden force of a collision jerks your head back and forth, straining the muscles and ligaments in your neck.
You might not feel the pain from whiplash right away, but it can develop hours or even days later, causing stiffness, headaches, and neck pain.
Concussions and Brain Injuries
A concussion is a mild brain injury that can occur during a car accident. Even a minor bump to the head can cause the brain to shake inside the skull, leading to delayed symptoms like headaches, dizziness, confusion, and memory problems.
It’s important to seek medical attention after any head injury, even if you seem okay at first. Concussions can be more serious than they appear, and a doctor can assess the extent of the injury and recommend proper treatment.
Internal Injuries
Internal bleeding is a serious risk after a car accident. The impact of the collision can damage internal organs like the spleen, liver, or kidneys. Because these injuries are hidden inside the body, it can take time for symptoms to develop.
You might experience severe pain in your abdomen, chest, or back, or feel lightheaded and dizzy. If you experience any of these symptoms in the days following an accident, it’s crucial to seek medical attention immediately.
Back and Spinal Injuries
The back and spine are especially vulnerable in car accidents. The sudden force of a collision can strain or tear muscles and ligaments in the back or even cause damage to the spinal cord.
While back pain is a common symptom of many injuries, delayed back pain after an accident could indicate a more serious issue like a herniated disc or spinal fracture.
You might also experience radiating pain that travels down your legs or numbness in your arms or legs. If you experience any of these symptoms after a car accident, don’t hesitate to see a doctor.
Legal Considerations for Injuries with Delayed Symptoms
Consulting a personal injury lawyer can be crucial if you’ve been involved in a car accident and experienced delayed symptoms. These lawyers specialize in helping car accident victims navigate the legal system and recover compensation for their injuries.
Establishing a clear connection between the accident and your injuries can be challenging. An experienced attorney can help gather medical records, witness testimonies, and other evidence to build a strong case on your behalf.
Remember, every state has a statute of limitations on personal injury claims. So seeking legal guidance promptly is essential to protecting your rights.
