It’s common for some injuries resulting from a car crash not to appear immediately. This happens when your adrenaline kicks in and acts as a pain reliever, which masks injury symptoms. Therefore, you may not notice that you have sustained injuries until later once the adrenaline has worn off. For this reason, don’t tell anyone that you’ve not been injured until you’ve visited a doctor.
If you’ve been involved in a car crash, look out for the following injuries that don’t always manifest themselves immediately after a crash.
Whiplash
Whiplash is a common injury during rear-end collisions. When your car is hit from behind, it may suddenly force your head and neck to move back and forth. This causes muscles, ligaments and other soft tissues to be damaged. The symptoms of whiplash injuries are often hidden, and the pain may not be noticeable immediately after the accident. Some of the common side effects of whiplash include headaches, stiff neck and numbness.
Back or spine injuries
Back and spine injuries, even severe ones, may not be evident immediately after the accident. However, if your head or neck sustains significant trauma during a crash, your spine will most likely be affected. When your spine is injured during an accident, you may experience swelling and bleeding around the area. This may cause numbness or even paralysis, which may affect you gradually. Therefore, it’s important that you receive treatment immediately after a car accident.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
A car accident is a stressful experience, and you may experience psychological ramifications not apparent immediately after the accident. PTSD can result in symptoms such as anxiety, depression and nightmares. Therefore, ensure you seek mental health care if you have anxiety or panic every time you think about driving.
When you get into a car crash, remember to wait until you’ve seen a doctor before you start any discussions with an insurance company. This is crucial as you may have hidden or delayed injuries.
If you’ve suffered hidden injuries in a car accident, consider seeking legal assistance when making a claim.
Steven Morgan is a local attorney who understands the potentially long-lasting damages, pain and suffering that often result from a crash. Contact us online or call us today at 912-289-0640 for a review of your case.
