Are There Delayed Injury Symptoms After a Car Accident?

Are There Delayed Injury Symptoms After a Car Accident?

Car accidents can cause multiple types of physical and psychological injuries. Brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, burns, broken bones or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are possible outcomes after a serious car crash. However, there are also car accident injuries that may not be apparent until hours or even days later. These injuries can include:

• Concussions: According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the immediate symptoms of a concussion include headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness and tiredness. Most people are going to have immediate symptoms. However, concussion symptoms can linger long after an accident. Memory problems, difficulty concentrating, trouble sleeping and emotional changes can last for weeks or months.
• Musculoskeletal injuries: Whiplash from an accident could cause a musculoskeletal injury. These are injuries that can limit your ability to move. These injuries may cause lower back, shoulder and neck pain.
• Internal bleeding: You typically cannot see internal injuries, which is one reason why you should always seek immediate medical attention after an accident. Internal bleeding may cause dizziness, fainting, bloating, abdominal pain, headaches and deep bruising. If internal bleeding is not promptly treated, it may cause death.
• PTSD: The Department of Veterans Affairs claims up to 9 percent of car crash survivors develop PTSD. According to the CDC, symptoms of PTSD can include flashbacks, nightmares, depression, outbursts of anger, insomnia and a tendency to avoid others.

How Could I Be Affected by Car Accident Injuries?

Car accident injuries are not easy to live with. In some cases, they may require long hospital stays, rehabilitation or therapy. Some the injuries we have listed can make it difficult or impossible to return to work. They may also significantly reduce your or a loved one’s quality of life. It is important to seek medical attention immediately after a car accident because these injuries can worsen without prompt care. In addition, it would also establish a record of the injuries that could become useful later.

After your accident, there is a good chance that you will be contacted by the other driver’s insurance company. It can be a mistake to talk to the adjuster prior to getting legal advice from a personal injury attorney. If you are more injured than you realize and you tell the adjuster that you are fine, then you may not receive fair compensation. If you are injured, then simply give the adjuster your name, phone number, information about your vehicle and tell him that you are injured. You should then consider calling an attorney for advice.

For more answers about what you should do after a car accident, please give the attorneys at Riddle & Brantley, LLP a call. At Riddle & Brantley, LLP, Justice Counts.