Motor vehicle accidents can be scary events. It’s not uncommon for car accident victims to experience a surge of adrenaline, which can mask injuries. They may not know they were injured even though they could have serious injuries lying underneath.
Some injuries take days or weeks to show up. Delayed symptoms can indicate serious injuries that can pose significant health risks if left untreated. Because it’s common to experience delayed symptoms, it’s important you seek immediate medical attention so your injuries are properly and promptly diagnosed and treated.
And can you still file a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver if you have additional damages? Here’s what you need to know about delayed injuries.
Headaches
After an accident, you may begin to suffer headaches hours or days after the initial crash. This can happen even if your head does not make contact with a hard object, such as the steering wheel or dashboard. It’s possible your brain could have crashed into the interior of your skull. Headaches may indicate injuries such as:
- Concussions
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Neck injuries
- Blood clots
Neck Pain
One of the most common injuries car accident victims suffer is whiplash. This is a type of soft tissue injury that occurs when the neck is suddenly jerked back and forth like a cracking whip. This motion can cause significant strain on the neck and back muscles and tissues.
Neck pain can indicate other injuries such as:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Neck injuries
Pay attention to neck and shoulder pain, stiffness, tenderness, or a reduced range of motion in the neck.
Stomach Pain
Pain in the abdomen can indicate internal bleeding and organ damage, which can be life-threatening if not immediately addressed. Accompanying symptoms of these injuries may include:
- Dizziness
- Fainting
- Headaches
- Bruising
Back Pain
Back pain is common after a car accident because a collision’s impact may put pressure on the spine.
Back pain can indicate serious injuries such as:
- Slipped or herniated discs
- Compression fractures
- Spinal cord damage
- Cervical vertebrae fractures
- Injuries to muscles or ligaments
Numbness and Tingling
Numbness and tingling can indicate serious injuries such as:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Nerve damage
- Blood clots
- Internal bleeding
These symptoms can occur before paralysis or other long-term neurological damage.
Swelling and Bruising
Swelling, bruising, and limited range of motion can indicate damage to muscles, ligaments, or tendons.
Psychological Effects
While many delayed symptoms after a car accident can be indicative of physical injuries, you may also experience delayed psychological symptoms, such as:
- Behavioral changes
- Irritability
- Feelings of frustration
- Sadness
- Nightmares
- Flashbacks
- Problems sleeping
- Angry outbursts
- Feelings of hopelessness
- Panic attacks
These symptoms can indicate PTSD, anxiety, depression, or other mental health disorders.
Contact Our Car Accident Lawyers for a Free Case Review
If you have experienced any of the delayed symptoms described above, reach out to the experienced car accident lawyers at Dulin McQuinn Young for a free consultation.
Call (303) 246-1111 to get started on your path to recovery.