6 Delayed Injury Symptoms After an Accident

After an accident, some injuries are recognized immediately, such as broken bones, cuts, and other injuries with apparent symptoms.  On the other hand, many injuries don’t show symptoms until later on. Even if you don’t see any physical signs of an injury, getting checked by a medical professional is always a good idea. 

In this article, we’ll be covering six of the most common injuries that happen during an accident. 

Headaches

It is common for a headache to develop days after an accident. The headache can range from mild to severe and can be a sign of something more serious. Concussion, blood clots, and whiplash can all have a massive role in your headaches.

Neck and shoulder pain or stiffness 

Whiplash is the most common injury during an accident. Whiplash is a neck injury due to forceful, rapid back-and-forth movement of the neck, like the cracking of a whip. Signs and symptoms of whiplash usually develop within days of the injury, and may include:

  • Neck pain and stiffness.
  • Worsening of pain with neck movement.
  • Loss of range of motion in the neck.
  • Headaches.
  • Tenderness or pain in the shoulder, upper back, or arms.

Most people who have whiplash, recover within a few weeks after the injury. However, some people continue to have pain for several months or years after the accident.

Back pain

Back pain is another common injury that develops after an accident. This can be associated with damage to muscles, nerves, ligaments, or damage to the vertebrae.

Abdominal pain or swelling

Abdominal pain or swelling can be due to internal bleeding. Signs of internal bleeding could be: 

  • Abdominal pain.
  • Shortness of breath.
  • Chest pain.
  • Dizziness, especially when standing.
  • Bruising around your navel or on the sides of your abdomen.
  • Nausea.
  • Vomiting.
  • Blood in the urine.
  • Black, tarry stool.
  • Bleeding from another area, including ears, nose, mouth, or anus.

Internal bleeding may be life-threatening; you should consult with a medical professional as soon as possible. (1)

Numbness

Numbness, tingling, or loss of sensation in your hands, fingers, feet, or toes can be a result of damage to the neck and spinal column. Auto and motorcycle accidents are the leading cause of spinal cord injuries, accounting for almost half of the new spinal cord injuries each year. Furthermore there are other signs and symptoms of a spinal cord injury after an accident that may include:

  • Extreme back pain or pressure in your neck, head, or back.
  • Weakness, coordination, or paralysis in any part of your body.
  • Loss of bladder or bowel control.
  • Difficulty with balance and walking.
  • Impaired breathing after injury.
  • An oddly positioned or twisted neck or back. (2)

PTSD

When your involved in an accident, sometimes your body and mind don’t respond right away. It could happen right away, or it could kick in days after. You could start feeling

  • Shock.
  • Trouble believing what happened.
  • Angry.
  • Nervousness or worry.
  • Fear, uneasiness, and anxiety.
  • Guilt even if it was not your fault.

It is very important to get medical help after an accident for any physical injuries you might have, but it is just as important to get help for your mental health too. You should take time to:

  • Talk to a friend or a family member about what is going on.
  • Go outside more often and try to enjoy your day.
  • Follow up with your family doctor to see if they could refer a therapist that can help through these hard times.

You might not feel any pain right away with the shock of the accident and adrenalin rushing through the body. Pain and injuries can get worse days after the accident. It is crucial to get checked by a medical professional right away to get proper treatment for any unseen injuries that you may have. Your next step is to call a trusted attorney that has experience with car accidents.

At Attorneys For All, we are helping injured people get the compensation they deserve. Feel free to call us 24/7 at (281) 475-4535 or fill out a consultation form here to start the process.

 

 

Sources: 
  1. Holland, K. (2019, April 18). Internal Bleeding: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment. Retrieved June 19, 2020, from https://www.healthline.com/health/internal-bleeding
  2. Spinal cord injury. (2019, September 17). Retrieved June 19, 2020, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/spinal-cord-injury/symptoms-causes/syc 20377890#:~:text=Emergency%20signs%20and%20symptoms%20of,hands%2C%20fingers%2C%20feet%20or%20toes