Being in a car accident can result in feelings of anger, frustration, and anxiety. It is even worse when you are injured. Car accident injuries are expensive to treat, and they can significantly impact the quality of your life. Some may cause permanent disabilities.
Injuries like burns, broken bones and cuts are apparent right from the beginning. However, there are late-appearing car accident injuries whose signs can manifest days or weeks later. After an accident, your body releases endorphins that can mask your symptoms. Some injuries may only be apparent when the endorphins wear off.
Examples of Late-Appearing Car Accident Injuries
Concussions and soft tissue injuries are the most common types of late-appearing car accident injuries. Soft tissue injuries cover all sorts of strains, sprains, bruises, and damage to tendons, muscles, and ligaments.
Whiplash is the most common kind of soft tissue injury. Although it mainly affects the neck, it can affect other parts of the body as well. The symptoms of whiplash include:
- Dizziness
- Stiffness
- Delayed reflexes and muscle spasms
- General weakness and numbness in the affected areas
- Reduced range of motion
Concussions are brain injuries that may happen following trauma to the brain. If you have been in a car accident where your head hits a blunt object like the steering wheel or dashboard, you may suffer a concussion.
It is also possible to get a concussion if the vehicle you are in suddenly comes to a stop causing the brain to bounce back and forth. Here are a few symptoms of concussions:
- Unexplained headaches
- Double or blurred vision
- Convulsion
- Amnesia, disorientation, and general confusion
- Irritability
- Loss of balance
- Tinnitus
- Vomiting and nausea
- Trouble concentrating or reasoning
- Anxiety and depression
If you get numb or a tingling sensation in your hands, it may be a sign that your spinal column or neck is damaged. The actual symptoms may not be apparent until the next day.
Reasons to Understand Late-Appearing Car Accident Injuries
When you are in a car accident, it is essential to understand that all your injuries won’t be apparent right away. You should, therefore, be on the lookout for symptoms like headaches, stiffness, and dizziness. Even when they seem meaningless, they may be indicators of bigger issues. Taking care of the symptoms on time could help prevent bigger issues.
When you know that the full effects of your car accident injuries can’t be seen immediately, you are likely to take the right steps after an accident. You will resist the temptation of premature settlement, and you’ll always see a doctor after an accident. You will have higher chances of getting the compensation you deserve.
If you have been in a car accident, it would be best to see a doctor on the same day.
Even when you feel fine, you don’t know what underlying issues may pop up later. Doctors deal with similar problems every day. They will help you identify issues, if any. Getting a medical report will help in the process of seeking compensation. If you wait too long, it could be argued that you got your injuries from something else.