You’ve been in a car crash. You’re disoriented and filled with anxiety, but overall, you seem fine.
You breathe a sigh of relief that you avoided catastrophe.
But you shouldn’t move on quite yet.
More than 3 million people are injured in car wrecks each year. The onset of these car accident injuries is frequently long after the wreck occurs.
Here’s what you need to know if you’ve recently been in a crash.
How Long Can It Take for Injuries to Appear?
Pain and symptoms of injuries often develop hours, days, or weeks after the accident.
This is partly because the body produces a surge of adrenaline and endorphins to cope with the trauma of the wreck in the moment. The body’s reaction may cover up any immediate feelings of pain.
The bottom line is that you need to monitor your condition closely in the time following a wreck. Contact your doctor if you have any new pain or other symptoms of injury.
What Are Common Symptoms of Delayed Car Accident Injuries?
You should be paying particularly close attention if you experience any of the following:
- Fatigue
- Changes in personality/behavior
- Numbness in the extremities
- Neck pain
- Back pain
- Trouble sleeping
- Headaches
It’s best to contact your physician immediately if you experience any of these symptoms following a car accident.
Which Injuries Are Most Common in a Car Wreck?
A wide range of injuries may only show up long after the accident occurred.
For example, soft tissue injuries affecting the muscles, ligaments, and tendons may not be immediately noticeable. A car wreck—in which you’re thrown around in the vehicle—puts a tremendous amount of pressure on joints and muscles.
Whiplash and other neck injuries often take a long time to manifest. They may not show up on X-rays as well, which makes them difficult to diagnose and treat.
Concussions after an accident are also common. These occur when the brain makes contact with the skull and can be very serious. If you’re experiencing muddled thinking, inability to concentrate, nausea, or headaches, seek medical attention right away.
Spinal cord injuries are also possible in vehicle wrecks. In fact, this is one of the most common ways spinal cord injuries occur.
What Steps Should You Take Next?
It’s best to see a physician soon after a crash, even if you feel fine. This will put you in the best position to understand if the accident resulted in any injuries.
You should also refrain from settling quickly with the other driver’s insurance company. If it turns out you were injured in the wreck, you’ll want to be able to pursue legal action and receive fair compensation.
If you’ve been hurt, contacting a car accident attorney is a smart move. To learn about your legal options, here’s more from Reasonover Law.
Get on the Road to Recovery
Those who have experienced car accident injuries know that the path forward won’t be easy. But with the help of experienced doctors and a seasoned legal team, you can get your life back on track.
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