Car crash injuries are often immediately apparent, but others can have hidden or delayed symptoms. Because delayed symptoms can be a sign of severe trauma, seeing a doctor immediately after a crash is critical for your health. Be aware of the following seven delayed car crash injury symptoms that shouldn’t be ignored.
Headaches
Headaches can take several days to start but can be severe and debilitating. It may signal a serious problem, such as a traumatic brain injury like a concussion, whiplash, a pinched nerve, or may just be caused by strained muscles.
Neck or Shoulder Pain and Stiffness
Any delayed neck injury symptoms often mean you have whiplash. Rear-end collisions, in particular, commonly cause whiplash. However, it could also signify a herniated disc or other damage to the spine. An x-ray, CT scan, or MRI may be required to diagnose it properly.
Back Pain
Back pain or sciatica pain often has a delayed onset. Sciatica is a type of pain that comes from the sciatic nerve and can radiate down one side of the lower body. There are many injuries that back pain could represent, such as a spinal cord injury, herniated disc, pinched nerve, soft tissue injury, sprain, or whiplash.
Numbness
Numbness or tingling often means there is a problem with nerve function, either because the nerve itself is injured or something is pressing on it. A loss of feeling in the hands or arms can indicate damage to the neck or spinal column or whiplash.
Abdominal Pain or Swelling
Internal bleeding can present with abdominal pain, swelling, deep purple bruises, shortness of breath, fainting, or dizziness. Without emergency treatment, internal bleeding can be very dangerous and possibly life-threatening.
Changes in Behavior
Changes to someone’s personality or behavior can be signs of a traumatic brain injury. Examples of symptoms can be numbness in limbs, paralysis, headaches, impaired memory, problems with vision or hearing, mood changes such as irritability or depression, the inability to speak, and more.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Car accidents are a leading cause of PTSD, which is a mental health condition that people can develop after witnessing or being involved in a traumatic event. Symptoms may include severe anxiety, flashbacks, nightmares, and uncontrollable thoughts about the crash.
I Had Delayed Car Crash Symptoms, What Now?
The biggest issue you will face in your car accident claim if you experience delayed symptoms is that many insurance companies will argue they are not connected to the crash. Mainly if you chose not to be seen by a medical professional immediately after the or at least as soon as the symptoms begin to manifest, this can cause a difficult battle in getting compensation for your injuries. That is why it is imperative to seek medical attention within a reasonable period of time after an accident.
If you or a loved one has experienced delayed car crash symptoms, contact an experienced Car Accident Lawyer to help you file a claim.
