In the moments immediately following a car crash, you can’t always trust your body’s reaction to the incident. While some injuries make themselves immediately known, others may not be so obvious. Adrenaline coursing through your body can disguise early symptoms of injuries, and the passing of time can reveal soreness and stiffness you didn’t initially notice.
It’s important to pay attention to your body in the days and weeks following an accident to be alert to any injuries that show up. If you do begin to notice severe or long-lasting injuries that impact your daily life, you may want to talk to a personal injury attorney about how you can be compensated for medical bills, loss of finances due to taking time off of work, and more.
Here are symptoms to watch out for after a car crash that may signal a more significant issue.
Back pain can come from sore muscles that stiffen after a collision, or it can signify something more serious. Not all spinal injuries are immediately apparent, either. When you experience back pain following a car accident, it could be minor, or it could be a sign of something more serious like a bulging, torn, or herniated disk. It’s best to seek medical advice as soon as you can after noticing back pain.
Whiplash is a common aftereffect of a car crash, caused by the sudden jerking back and forth that comes when your vehicle is struck. Whiplash is especially common if you’ve been rear-ended. Look out for neck soreness that may develop after the fact, which might be an indicator that you’re suffering from whiplash. While most people recover within a few weeks, whiplash can cause chronic pain and long-lasting complications that keep you from working or performing other daily activities. If this is the case, make sure to seek medical attention, keep track of your records and bills, and reach out to an attorney.
Numbness or tingling in your arms or hands might be another signal of whiplash that could point to some severe damage in your neck and spinal column. Whiplash can occur even in accidents that happen at low speed, common in rear-end collisions that occur even under 14 miles per hour. If you’re experiencing any tingling or loss of feeling, make sure to pay a visit to your doctor to identify if a larger issue may be at play.
Lingering anxiety that you can’t quite shake? Trouble sleeping? Flashbacks triggered by similar experiences like the ones in your car crash? These can all be late-coming indicators of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Though your mental health may seem like something you should be able to handle on your own, it can lead to devastating outcomes if you don’t seek the necessary help. PTSD can make it difficult to concentrate on your work, care for and provide for your family, and even get out of bed. Pay attention to these symptoms, seek help, and talk to an attorney about how you can recover from your losses caused by PTSD.
Headaches are a common post-crash ailment that also might not show up right away. They can be a symptom of a concussion or traumatic brain injury, or they may spring up from stress or muscle tension that comes from other trauma caused by the accident. One could even indicate a blood clot or spinal injury, making it especially important that you seek a medical professional’s opinion if you’re experiencing frequent or severe headaches.
After a car crash, the stress of trauma may make it difficult to concentrate. Being distracted and unfocused could also indicate signs and symptoms of PTSD or even a head injury like a concussion. You might not notice this until hours or days later, so it’s something to pay attention to if it does surface down the line.
If any of the above symptoms appear after a car crash, you should always seek medical attention first. Tell your doctor about the incident and all of the symptoms you are experiencing in detail. Be sure to document any treatment you received for your injuries and keep all of your medical bills.
From there, it’s a good idea to get advice and counsel from a skilled personal injury attorney, like those at Cok Kinzler. A personal injury attorney can help you seek financial support from the responsible party for your medical bills, loss of income, and more. Financial restitution can be a vital step in the healing process, especially if you need assistance in order to afford the medical care you need.
Get in touch for a free consultation with an attorney at Cok Kinzler and find out how you seek justice and financial support following a car crash.
