After a car accident, there are many things to consider:
- What just happened?
- What is the origin of that car?
- Is it my fault or not?
- Do I have to call the Police?
- Are my passengers OK?
- Is my vehicle in good condition?
- What will this cost me?
You may not be able to see your injuries clearly because of all the adrenaline that is coursing through you. Even after you’ve had a chance for your brain to process everything, you might not be able to fully grasp the impact of what happened.
Many injuries are obvious, particularly if they involve blood, broken bones and pain. Many common car accidents injuries can be difficult to detect. Included in this list are:
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Whiplash
The neck injury is one of the most common injuries in car accidents. This occurs when your head moves back and forth as if you were cracking a whip. This is a common occurrence in rear-end accidents.
Not all vehicles have the most advanced air bag technology. Some air bags may not deploy or only partially deploy. The air bags of old cars may be one size fits all, meaning they might not provide adequate protection to different body types. They may cause more harm than good in some cases.
You may not immediately feel the effects of whiplash. You may not even feel it for several days. Most whiplash cases will improve within a few weeks. Some cases can last for a long time and become chronic pain.
Spinal injuries
In a car crash, the spine can be severely damaged. The spine is extremely complex and can have far-reaching effects when damaged. A spinal cord injury is one of the most serious of these injuries. In most cases the spine can be repaired, but the spinal cord is a mystery to doctors.
A partial spinal cord injury may still allow you to feel below the site of injury, but a total spinal cord damage will cause you to lose all feeling.
A herniated disc or a ruptured disk is another common spinal injury. A rubbery disc is located between the vertebrae of each back bone. The vertebrae would rub against one another, causing pain. A car accident may cause your discs rupture or to bulge from the vertebrae. It can cause your back to scream in pain, and depending on where the disc is compromised, it may make sitting, standing, or bending impossible. All but impossible.
A car accident may also fracture the spine, causing pain or numbness. (And even loss of bladder control.)
Your spinal injury may not be apparent immediately following the accident. After the accident, many victims return to their normal lives only to discover that they have a serious problem with their mobility and back.
Traumatic brain injury
When your brain moves around in the skull due to an impact, it can cause brain injury. You may strike the dashboard or the side of the vehicle with your head. Although airbags can soften the impact, they do not always prevent TBIs.
TBIs are not only caused when the head comes into contact with an object or surface. As the brain moves due to the impact, it can cause injury. It twists and stretches your neural pathways.
Mild TBIs, also known as concussions, are common after car accidents. However you may not notice them immediately. It may take several days for you to start experiencing symptoms such as headaches, dizziness and fatigue. You might also experience anxiety, irritability or difficulty concentrating.
Internal bleeding
What happens when you’re bleeding internally? Internal organs such as the liver, spleen and small intestine are often injured in a car accident. Even internal bleeding can occur in the joints and muscles.
You may not notice internal bleeding symptoms for several days. These include dizziness and weakness, low blood-pressure, vision issues, tingling of the fingers and toes and nausea and vomiting.
Untreated internal bleeding can be fatal. A doctor may order imaging tests such as CT scans or x-rays.
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Not all injuries are physical. Your body may be intact after an accident, but your mental state is in ruins. A car accident can trigger PTSD, an anxiety disorder. In one study, it was found that 25-33% of those who sought medical attention within 30 days after a motor vehicle accident had PTSD. According to the same study, motor vehicle accidents are one of the most common causes of PTSD.
After a car crash, PTSD can make you depressed, cause intrusive thoughts, or have nightmares. You may also avoid driving, or driving near the place where the accident happened, avoid talking about it, feel emotionally numb and distance yourself from familiar relationships.
The onset of PTSD can be delayed. Some people experience PTSD symptoms the next day following a car accident. Some people may not experience symptoms for several months or years. Some people are able to overcome their PTSD symptoms within a few months. Others may suffer for many years.
How do I detect these “hidden” car accident injuries?
Some of these latent or subtle injuries can get worse when they are not detected. There’s also the question of liability. You may be stuck paying medical bills that you should not have to if the other driver was at fault.
Even if there are no immediate injuries, it is important to consult a physician after an accident. Your doctor will be able to identify any medical issues that may not be immediately obvious and prescribe treatment.
Contact a Las Vegas car accident lawyer. You can get the compensation and care you deserve for your injuries. You can get compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, damage to your property, and much more.
Insurance companies are in business to make money. They want you accept the lowest amount possible for your injuries. You may be pressured to accept a settlement without considering the long-term effects of your injury.
An auto accident lawyer will not allow this to happen. They know the most common injuries from car accidents and how they affect your medical care. They will know what compensation you require now and in the future if your injuries last for many months or years.
The accident can’t be undone, but the lawyers can ensure that you get the compensation you deserve because of the negligence of the other driver.
The article Car Accident Injuries That May Not Show Up Until Later first appeared on Las Vegas Injury Attorneys.