If you were severely injured in a car accident, you may receive immediate medical attention from medical professionals in the ambulance or shortly thereafter at the emergency room of a hospital. However, in many car accidents, victims are in a state of shock or have a great deal of adrenaline which prevents them from processing how seriously they may be injured. In fact, some victims may not feel that they have any injuries at all following a car accident. However, there are several injuries after a car accident that can develop into severe medical conditions if they fail to be treated quickly.
You should always seek immediate medical treatment following a car accident, even if you do not feel you were seriously injured. If you fail to seek the advice of a medical professional or doctor following your accident, you should learn of the following 7 injuries that develop long after a car accident is over.
Injuries That Can Develop After Car Accidents
Traumatic Brain Injuries – In many cases, headaches do not occur immediately after a car accident. In fact, because of the anxiety and stress produced due to the trauma of a car accident, many victims feel no pain whatsoever for hours or days following an accident. One major injury to watch for is whether or not a victim begins to develop headaches. Headaches can signal a very serious brain injury following a car accident. In some cases, a headache is simply a sign of minor whiplash or slight bruising of the head, and time will heal these conditions. However, in other cases, a headache can be a sign of a serious medical problem including a blood clot in the brain, injury to the head or neck, a serious concussion, or a traumatic brain injury.
Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are common after car accidents, and oftentimes do not present themselves immediately following a crash. Oftentimes a victim will not feel pain or anything abnormal for days or weeks following the accident. Along with headaches, a car accident victim suffering from a TBI may exhibit cognitive dysfunctions such as the inability to properly think, confusion, disorientation, balance challenges, nausea or other symptoms of disorientation.
Whiplash – Most people have heard of the medical condition known as whiplash for victims following a car accident. In many cases, accident victims will feel neck or shoulder pain or stiffness initially, which can develop into much more severe issues regarding these areas. Whiplash injuries can occur with rear-end collisions with a vehicle traveling as slow as 14 miles per hour. Again, in many cases, the adrenaline after a car accident, or believing that the car accident was minor prevents a victim from seeking immediate medical attention. However, after several days or weeks pass, their whiplash may develop into a condition that results in permanent damage. Oftentimes whiplash injuries can be detected through x-rays, CT scans or MRIs, which should be performed as soon as possible following an accident.
Back and Spinal Cord Injuries – Many people feel sore all over following a car accident and chalk it up to the initial impact of the accident. However, any back pain following an accident could be a sign of damage to muscles, ligaments, nerves or vertebrae in the spine. Any damage to the back or spinal cord can result in temporary or permanent paralysis. Many people feel that their sore back is simply a muscular issue, however, in some more serious cases, it could be an indication of a catastrophic spinal cord injury that could lead to someone becoming a paraplegic, quadriplegic or tetraplegic.
Whiplash Associated Disorder – Whiplash associated disorder is slightly different from both whiplash and spinal injuries but involves both areas of the victim’s body. After some time passes following the car accident, a victim may begin to feel numbness in their hands and legs. This loss of feeling is associated not only with whiplash but is also a direct result of the damage suffered by the spinal column and neck. It is important that if you suffer from any form of numbness at any time following a car accident that you seek medical attention immediately.
Internal Injuries – Scrapes and bruises are common after a car accident of any kind. However, if a victim notices that they have any type of abdominal pain or bleeding hours, days, or weeks following a car accident, it could be a symptom of serious internal injuries or organ damage. Again, these types of injuries are never visible to the naked eye, and only a qualified medical practitioner would be able to determine whether there are any severe internal injuries.
Personality Disorders – Oftentimes, if a victim has suffered a concussion that is untreated following a car accident, they may have a brain injury that results in a personality disorder. Oftentimes, these disorders are not noticed immediately following the accident, but rather days or weeks later. Always make sure to seek medical attention if you develop any type of vision changes, hearing changes, or changes to your personality following a car accident.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder – Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is common after a car accident and oftentimes does not develop until days or weeks following the crash. Oftentimes, victims of accidents begin to replay the memory of the accident and with these memories comes panic, stress, anxiety, fear, and the inability to function normally. In most cases, visiting with a medical professional as well as a therapist or other mental health professional can help alleviate symptoms associated with PTSD over time.
Contact an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer in Orange County
If you, or a loved one, was a victim in a car accident and suffered injuries, it is always important to seek the medical attention of a doctor or other medical professional as soon as possible. If you suffered injuries from a car accident, contact Silverthorne Attorneys today to visit with an Orange County car accident lawyer who can offer you a complimentary consultation of your case, and help you with your next steps. Call us at (949) 234-6034 or contact us online today.