5 Delayed Injury Symptoms to Watch for After a Car Accident

Updated on May 21, 2021

Photo Courtesy of Pixabay.com

Car accidents happen every day, from California to Florida. Unfortunately, many collisions cause injuries to both drivers and passengers. The oddity surrounding car accidents is that many victims may feel completely fine following their crash, yet they may have severe injuries that have yet to manifest. As your body tries to cope with the trauma, several injuries may have delayed symptoms.

If you have been in a car accident, you know how traumatic the experience can be. Your body is full of adrenaline and stress that could mask the subtle symptoms of serious injury. Following an accident, you must allow onsite EMTs to check you over or go and see your doctor as soon as possible. 

The fallout from a serious car accident could have you ignoring subtle signs of injury while you are searching for a car crash attorney in Florida or California. It’s essential to listen to your body and never wait to get medical attention following an accident. Let’s look at a few of the most common delayed injury symptoms to watch for after a car accident.

Neck and Shoulder Pain

Pain and soreness in your neck or shoulders could be a symptom of whiplash, one of the most common car accident injuries. It can take days for stiffness and pain to start to manifest in your neck and shoulders in many cases. If you become uncomfortable, you should see your doctor immediately. Your physician will order an x-ray or CT Scan to investigate your injury and recommend the right treatment. Severe whiplash cases can include spinal injuries, so it’s crucial that you see your doctor if you have pain in your neck and shoulders following a car accident.

Headache

Headaches are a common complaint following a car accident. In many cases, the collision’s stress and trauma are what cause a headache, but in some cases, it could indicate a more severe injury. An initial headache can signal concussions, blood clots, or brain injury following a car accident. See your doctor if your headache lasts more than eight hours following a collision.

Numbness

Your body can take a beating during a car accident, even if the damage to your vehicle is minor. Neck injuries can take time to show up following an accident and manifest as numbness in your arms and hands. If the nerves along your spinal cord have been damaged or are inflamed, this numbness could indicate a more serious injury. 

Abdominal Pain

Bruising is common following a car accident. However, if you have severe bruising in your abdomen and severe pain following your accident, it could indicate that you are bleeding internally. Allowing emergency medical professionals to check you out at the scene of your accident can quickly find these kinds of injuries. If you have abdominal pain for more than 8 hours following your accident, you should seek emergency care.

Back Pain

A car collision can be traumatic on your spine. If you are experiencing back pain following your accident, it could indicate a soft tissue injury, a herniated disk, or nerve damage. A visit to your doctor or chiropractor can help you locate the problem and get the adjustments you need to put you back in line.

Being involved in an accident is stressful and traumatic. It’s not unusual for these types of delayed injuries to become a factor in your healing. Stay aware and visit your doctor if you have any discomfort or pain that shows up several days following your accident. 

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