Were you recently in a motorcycle, truck, or car accident but think you didn’t sustain any serious injuries? It’s possible that you were very lucky.
However, there’s also the chance that you did suffer a potentially serious injury, but experienced an adrenaline rush during the accident that masked the initial pain or discomfort from it.
You’re not alone. There’s a handful of common hidden injuries from car accidents. So If you’re just beginning to feel even minor pain or discomfort from your accident, any caring car accident attorney will tell you that it’s important that you seek immediate medical attention. Such delayed-onset symptoms could be signaling something very serious.
Common Hidden Injuries from Car Accidents
Delayed-onset symptoms can start to surface just hours after a vehicle accident. But in some cases, it could be days later when they appear. At this point, these symptoms can often catch you off guard and cause you to believe they are not a result of your accident. So even if you believe they’re unrelated, you don’t want to ignore them.
The most common hidden injuries with delayed-onset symptoms include:
Concussion
Any jolt or hard blow to the head that causes the brain to slam against the inner skull results in a concussion. A concussion is classified as a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Though an isolated concussion is generally not dangerous, repeated episodes can become problematic. Particularly if you’re the victim of a motorcycle accident and weren’t wearing a helmet.
If you’ve suffered concussions before and are experiencing headaches,
nausea and vomiting, dizziness, lack of balance and coordination, or trouble concentrating and remembering after your accident, seek medical attention. Serious or repeated concussions can cause swelling of the brain that may require surgery. There’s also the risk of permanent brain damage, and even death.
Whiplash
Whiplash is one of the most common hidden car accident injuries; especially if you were rear-ended. It’s caused by a rapid forceful movement of the neck that throws the head back and forth. The neck isn’t designed to be in this position of hyperextension.
For some, this results in a dull pain in the head or neck. Others, however, can experience a tingling or numb sensation in the arm and hand, blurred vision, lower back pain, headaches, irritability, reduced range of motion in the neck, dizziness and fatigue, concentration or memory problems, ringing in the ears, even insomnia and depression. These can last weeks, months, or years and may require medical treatment that could be covered in a compensation claim.
Soft Tissue Injuries
It’s not uncommon to experience damage to the tendons, ligaments, or muscles after a car, motorcycle or truck accident. These are considered soft tissue injuries and they include bruises, sprains, strained muscles, and contusions.
Damage to soft tissue injuries is often not immediately apparent. But if you’re starting to feel pain and don’t take the time to get medical help, you could be dealing with a long-term injury that could worsen over the years.
Internal Organ Damage
Internal organ damage is one of the most notorious undetected injuries after a car accident because it often occurs without any external wounds. And the symptoms may seem inconsequential. For example, if you’re experiencing abdominal pain or rigidity, you may be tempted to pass it off as digestive issues.
Meanwhile, pain in the left arm and shoulder could indicate spleen damage, while pain in the right shoulder and abdominal area might be liver damage. And while blood in the urine could be a UTI, it may also signal kidney damage. Left untreated, internal organ damage can lead to complications or death. So take any soreness in the abdominal area very seriously.
Herniated Disc
Finally, any unexplained sharp or burning pain in your arms or legs, radiating numbness or tingling, or muscle weakness that affects your ability to walk or lift and hold items might indicate that a spinal disc slipped out of its casing as is pressing on a nerve.
This is known as a herniated disc and if you don’t get it treated, you could be dealing with potential disabilities over time.
What To Do If You Experience Delayed-Onset Symptoms from Unseen Injuries
Unfortunately, delayed-onset symptoms as a result of common hidden injuries from car accidents can negatively impact the outcome of your auto accident injury claim.
So no matter how minor your symptoms, see a healthcare professional. Then hold onto those medical records and bills. Document everything related to the accident. Take pictures of visible injuries and keep a journal of your symptoms and their progression.
Most importantly, consult with a compassionate and experienced car accident injury attorney who can assist you in seeking compensation for your injuries. Contact us or call us today at 877-KAJY-CARES to set up your free consultation. And let us care for you during this challenging time.
