Commonly Delayed Conditions Following an Accident
Author: Auger Law | September 11th, 2017
Most people have read or been given the advice that it is important to seek medical care after a car accident. It is an obvious need if you know that you have been injured, but it is an ignored need when injuries are not so apparent. Even if the accident wasn’t that serious, you may experience pain that is delayed. Seeking medical treatment even if you don’t feel injured should be a priority.
When a person is involved in an accident, they may experience immediate pain upon impact, signalling an injury. In other cases, a person may not feel any discomfort for days or weeks following an accident. Here are the most commonly delayed injury-induced symptoms following a collision.
1. Headache
We all have headaches now and again. A headache following a car accident may not be a garden-variety type of pain. A headache that occurs after an accident could by a symptom of whiplash, a concussion or even a more serious brain injury.
2. Shoulder and Neck Pain
This type of pain may not appear for days after an accident. Neck and shoulder pain may indicate that you have suffered whiplash, or it may signify something more serious like a herniated disc or injury to the spine.
3. Back Pain
Back pain following an accident should not be chalked up to “normal.” When you experience back pain following a car accident, it could be as simple as a pulled muscle or as serious as a problem with the spine or spinal cord.
4. Tingling or Numbness
If you experience tingling or numbness in your extremities or any part of your body, it could be indicative of a serious medical condition. In many cases, this type of sensation is due to a pinched nerve.
5. Pain in the Abdomen
If you have pain in your abdomen, either a sharp pain or tenderness, seek medical care immediately. Abdominal pain can mean that you have internal, soft-tissue injuries. These can be very serious and, in some cases, prove fatal if not treated.
6. Emotional Disturbances
It is not unusual for a person who has been in an auto accident to experience emotional disturbances. If you are experiencing stress, anxiety or depression following your accident, it may be emotional, but it may also be physical. Damage to the brain can manifest in changes in mood and behavior.
If you have been involved in a car accident, medical attention is important, even if you don’t experience immediate symptoms. You could have injuries that won’t make themselves known for several days. A medical professional understands the ways your body could respond to a collision and will know what to look for.
When a person is involved in a car accident that is due to someone’s error or negligence, they have legal rights. Reach out to our experienced car accident law firm in Charlotte and throughout North Carolina to discover more about your options following a vehicle collision.
