Motor vehicle accidents can lead to significant injuries that can have long-term effects on victims. However, some injuries have delayed symptoms that appear several days or weeks after an auto accident.
At Greg Coleman Law, our car accident attorneys are dedicated to helping you recover the compensation you deserve for your medical expenses, lost wages, and other damage. If you were involved in an accident, we strongly recommend you seek medical attention to determine if you have a hidden or delayed injury.
Some common types of delayed injuries that many car accident victims experience include:
1. Neck or Shoulder Pain
Experiencing neck and shoulder pain after a car accident is often a sign of whiplash. Although whiplash is one of the most common car accident injuries, victims may not experience symptoms until several days after the accident occurred.
Whiplash is common in rear-end collisions and can even occur in accidents involving slow speeds. It is typically identified by pain in the neck and shoulders and often requires imaging tests to properly diagnose whiplash. In some cases, neck or shoulder pain may indicate a spinal injury.
2. Back Pain
If you experience back pain after a few hours or several days following a car accident, it may be a symptom of several types of injuries, such as:
- Whiplash
- Herniated disc
- Sprain
- Muscle damage
- Pinched nerve
- Ligament injury
- Spinal cord injury
Typically, victims may experience back pain in rear-end and side-impact collisions. Back injuries can be debilitating and very painful, often indicating disc injuries and facet joint injuries.
For this reason, it is imperative you immediately see a health care provider if you experience severe and persistent back pain after a car accident.
3. Abdominal Pain
Car accident victims often report suffering abdominal pain or swelling, which may be a symptom of internal bleeding. Other indicative signs of internal bleeding may include symptoms like:
- Dizziness
- Fainting
- Headaches
- Deep bruising
In many cases, internal injuries can go unnoticed for several days after a car accident. However, abdominal injuries often indicate serious medical conditions that can be life-threatening if left untreated.
4. Numbness
Experiencing loss of feeling, a tingling sensation, or weakness in your hands, arms, legs or feet often indicates a herniated disc that pinches or presses up against nerves in your spinal cord.
If you experience any of these symptoms after a car accident, you may need to undergo imaging tests, including taking x-rays or an MRI to find out if you suffered a serious delayed injury.
5. Change in Personality or Physical Function
A victim’s personality may change after he or she has been involved in a car accident. However, symptoms of personality changes may not be as obvious as a physical injury.
In some cases, a car accident victim’s senses may be impaired. This can include sudden problems with his or her vision or hearing, which did not exist before the accident.
Victims may also experience memory loss or difficulty retaining or processing new events and information. These types of changes may indicate a concussion or traumatic brain injury.
If you or your loved one has experienced any personality or behavioral changes after an auto accident, promptly seek medical attention.
6. Emotional Trauma
A motor vehicle accident can be a traumatic experience for many victims. An auto accident may cause a victim to experience psychological conditions, such as depression or anxiety, which deeply affect his or her life.
In some cases, auto accident victims may suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This is a psychological condition that can causes victims to experience terror or anxiety after a traumatic event. In the case of an auto accident, a victim may suffer anxiety while riding in a vehicle or may constantly replay the accident in his or her head.
Schedule Free Evaluation of Your Car Accident Claim
The time after a car accident can be very confusing. You may have sustained injuries that do not show up as immediate symptoms until many days after the accident.
If you suspect that you may have been injured in a car accident, it is important that you seek immediate medical attention. Then, contact Greg Coleman Law’s experienced personal injury attorneys for assistance with your accident claim.
We will provide you with a free, no obligation consultation to review your claim and determine if you are entitled to compensation for your injuries and losses. All of our services are provided on a contingency fee basis, which means we will not charge you upfront legal fees. You only have to pay us if we recover compensation for your claim.
Call (865) 247-0080 to schedule a free consultation.
