Hidden Injuries After a Car Accident

Car accidents can be scary and unsettling. Suddenly, you are left dealing with the physical damage to your vehicle and any injuries to your own person. There are probably a million things running through your mind about what steps you need to take. From filing an insurance claim, seeking the advice of a car accident attorney, and dealing with damages from the accident, there are always going to be steps you think need to be taken.
With everything going on, you might think that if you do not feel injured immediately after the accident, then you do not need medical attention. This is wrong. After an accident, you should always seek medical attention as soon as possible. Not every injury appears immediately following an accident. Injuries can manifest days, weeks, or even months after an accident. Because of these latent injuries, visiting a doctor is imperative for your health, well-being, and any injury claim that might result from the accident. Failure to seek medical attention after an injury can leave you with devastating and debilitating injuries. The following are common injuries that are often delayed following a car accident.
Traumatic Brain Injury
Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) account for nearly 30% of injury-related deaths. A TBI is caused by a “bump, blow, or jolt to the heat that disrupts the normal functions of the brain.” A bump, blow, or jolt are common in car accidents. Not every bump to the head results in a brain injury, but after a car accident, it is imperative that you be on the lookout for one. Headaches, blurry vision, sensitivity to light or noise, memory loss, and difficulty thinking clearly are just a few of the signs of a brain injury. These symptoms can range from mild to severe, but it is important to pay attention to anything that feels wrong with your body.
Whiplash
Similarly to a TBI, whiplash occurs by “any impact or blow that causes your head to jerk forward or backward.” Any sudden force can tear muscles or tendons in you neck, resulting in serious injures. The symptoms of whiplash are not always present immediately after an accident and can appear several days after an accident. Common symptoms include a stiff neck, feeling off-balance, losing some range of motion in your neck, or headaches starting at the base of the neck.
Emotional Distress
Not every injury has to be physical. Mental health should be taken just as seriously as physical health. Car accidents can result in serious emotional distress problems. Those involved in an accident often feel anxious, depressed, or otherwise in a different personality state afterward. There does not need to be a fatal accident to cause emotional distress. Every person has a different mental state and will react to trauma differently.
If you have been involved in a car accident, it is important to be on the lookout for signs of a hidden injury. Seeking medical attention immediately after an accident and at anytime there is something off with your body is important to any injury claim. The personal injury attorneys at Jonathan R. Brockman, P.C. are here to help you. We want you to recover from your injuries and have the financial means to do so by seeking the compensation to which you are entitled. Contact us today for a consultation.