Getting in a car crash can shake up your day. From having to exchange insurance information to dealing with car repairs — the shock of the event may cloud initial pain you may experience or your injuries might not appear for a few days.
It’s important to pay close attention to signs and symptoms of delayed injuries that car crash victims can experience. That way you can begin the healing process before your condition worsens.
These are some common delayed injuries and conditions they can signalize:
- Back, neck and shoulder pain: Experiencing pain in the back, neck or shoulder could be an effect of whiplash. Whiplash involves a very quick back-and-forth neck movement that many rear-end collision victims experience. Although, whiplash can usually heal with time, medication and physical therapy, there is also a chance that the pain you’re experiencing is a herniated disc, muscle damage or even a pinched nerve.
- Headaches: Even if you had a headache prior to crashing, it shouldn’t be an injury you brush off. It can be a sign of whiplash or indicate a more serious condition like a traumatic brain injury. It could also be a result of emotional pain and suffering and be a stress-related headache or post-traumatic stress disorder symptom.
- Abdominal pain: When you feel pain in your abdominal area shortly after your car accident, then you should see a doctor immediately. As this can often be a sign of internal bleeding, which can be fatal if not treated in a timely manner.
Your car accident follow-up should include seeking medical attention right after the crash, taking notes on any pain you feel the next couple of weeks and scheduling follow-up appointments. Follow-up is extremely important, because even if you aren’t bleeding at the scene of the accident, many delayed injuries can deeply effect your physical and mental health.
If you believe you’re experiencing accident-related injuries well after your crash, then a personal injury attorney can help you receive the compensation you need to heal.