From being in a car accident, your body is likely to surge into fight or flight mode. As you examine yourself to determine if you were injured or not, you may feel as if you are okay, but can’t be quite sure the extent of your injuries just yet. As you take pictures of the scene, gather information from the other parties, and complete tasks related to being in an accident, you may forget to give your physical condition another thought. Many victims of auto accidents find that symptoms for some serious injuries do not arise right away, but in the hours or days to follow. Here are examples of auto accident injuries that may not present symptoms immediately, but must be treated promptly by seeing a doctor the very same day.
Brain Injuries
The force behind whiplash can be severe enough to result in a concussion or other traumatic brain injury. This is due to the force of impact that causes the head to jolt rapidly back and forth past its range of extension, or causes the head to hit against a firm object within the vehicle. Brain injuries can quickly turn into a life or death situation, so it is always advised that those who even suspect they may have injured their head get medical attention without delay. Symptoms of brain injuries tend to include confusion, memory lapses, tinnitus, fatigue, dizziness, and nausea.
Neck and Back Injuries
Many people associate neck and back injuries with auto accidents. Most people who are in a vehicle collision are going to sustain some degree of neck and back injury. In fact, even in car accidents going 15 MPH is enough force to cause injury. In particular, whiplash is often seen in auto accident victims, but many find they do not have symptoms until the next day. Symptoms for neck and back injuries can include pain in the neck/head/back, inability to move toes and fingers, tingling or numbness, onset of intense headaches, and muscle tightness in neck or shoulders.
Soft Tissue Damage
Soft tissue injuries are injuries such as strains, sprains, and contusions. Your knees, ankles, shoulders, wrists, elbows, and feet may have been injured in the auto accident. Aches and pains in these areas may not be felt in the moments after the accident, but tend to appear in the days afterwards. As an auto accident lawyer from David & Philpot, P.L. explains, by visiting a doctor early, you can get such injuries treated before they can exacerbate further.
Internal Injury or Bleeding
You may think that signs of internal bleeding are going to be obvious, but it’s actually an injury that can be life-threatening despite signs not being readily apparent, that is, until you are in critical condition. Safety measures in vehicles are designed to protect you in the event of a crash, but these mechanisms may not be enough to prevent you from sustaining organ damage or internal bleeding. If you have symptoms such as a tight or swollen abdomen, clammy skin, nausea or vomiting, extreme thirst, breathlessness, or were unconscious for any duration of time, then you must get yourself medical attention with urgency.