6 Warning Signs That Could Indicate Delayed Car Accident Injuries
Contrary to popular belief, car accident injuries are not always apparent right away. Many symptoms may take days or even weeks to manifest themselves. After a car crash, the human body generates both adrenaline and endorphins, which can reduce the victim’s pain while increasing their energy levels. This can result in delayed injuries following an accident and complicate a personal injury claim.
Warning Signs to Watch Out for to Detect a Delayed Injury After a Car Crash
After your car crash, it is vital to:
- Seek immediate medical attention; and
- Pay attention to warning signs that could indicate injuries.
Common warning signs that could indicate delayed injuries stemming from car and truck accidents include but are not limited to:
Headache
While headaches are usually not dangerous by their nature, they could indicate a serious injury following a traffic accident. Sometimes, headaches are a sign of head trauma or a traumatic brain injury (TBI), concussion, and several other medical conditions.
It is important to undergo a series of medical tests, including CT scans and MRIs, in order to rule out that your headache after a car accident is a symptom of a serious or life-threatening condition.
Pain in the Shoulders or Neck
If you were involved in a car crash and experience pain or stiffness in the shoulders or the neck area, visit a doctor’s office as soon as possible. Typically, motor vehicle accidents involve a sudden impact, which may cause your body to whip forcefully in an unexpected direction. Pain or stiffness in the shoulders or neck could be a symptom of whiplash or soft tissue injuries.
Numbness
It is vital to seek medical attention if you experience numbness in any part of your body following a car crash. Numbness, tingling, and loss of sensation are common signs of serious damage to your spine, back, head, or neck.
Back Pain
Since the human body is not designed to absorb the jarring impact of a car crash, you could experience back pain following your accident. Back pain could be a sign of damage to your ligaments or nerves or could be a warning sign of a serious spinal cord injury.
Swelling in the Abdomen
Swelling or pain in the abdomen could indicate internal bleeding following a car accident. If you do not seek medical attention right away, internal bleeding could lead to death. Other symptoms of internal bleeding include fainting and dizziness.
Mood Swings and Emotional Changes
After a car crash, you should watch out not only for physical symptoms but also emotional and mental changes. Mood swings, emotional or mental changes could indicate serious injuries or could be a sign of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). If you experience depression, anxiety, memory problems, vision or hearing issues, impaired cognitive abilities, or loss of coordination, you should go for a medical check-up as soon as possible.
It is vital to seek medical attention immediately after your car accident, even if you feel completely fine. Also, it is equally important to consult with a skilled Miami personal injury attorney to help you assess your damages and file a personal injury claim with your insurance company or pursue a claim against the at-fault motorist. Contact Pita Weber Del Prado to review your particular case. Call at 305-670-2889 to schedule a consultation.
