Whether you’ve been involved in a minor or a major car accident, being in a car accident in itself is already stressful enough. It can even be more stressful, especially when you sustain injuries that don’t immediately manifest after the accident.
Some people heal from their injuries a few days after the accident, while others may sustain more serious injuries that require medical attention and more time to recover. Victims of car accidents are often too shocked that they don’t realize they have injuries until 24 hours later. Whether you have minor or major injuries, having an experienced California car accident lawyer by your side is essential. They can settle all the legal matters for you while you focus on your recovery.
If you’ve been caught in a car accident, here are the symptoms you need to look out for:
Whiplash
People usually get whiplash when their bodies jolt back and forth rapidly after their vehicle comes to a sudden stop. Whiplash may cause pain and injury to the muscles and tendons in your neck.
Sometimes whiplash takes time before the victim can fully feel it. If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s possible that you may have whiplash:
- dizziness
- fatigue
- pain in shoulder, neck, or head
- stiff and sore muscles
- blurred or double vision
- restricted range of motion
Consulting a whiplash injury doctor who specializes in these types of injuries can be critical for a proper diagnosis and an effective treatment plan.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Besides whiplash, other soft tissue injuries can occur, such as sprains, strains, or tears. Symptoms of such injuries include:
- Swelling or inflammation of the affected areas
- Bruising or discoloration
- A decreased range of motion in the joints
- Pain when performing everyday activities that put stress on the injury
It’s essential to get a complete medical evaluation to determine the extent of these injuries, as they can sometimes lead to chronic pain if not properly treated.
Head Injuries
Head injuries are one of the most common types of injury that people get after a car accident. It can range from a minor head injury such as concussions and temporary memory loss to something major such as major brain damage.
Symptoms you need to watch out for if you have mild head injuries:
- Confusion
- A mild headache
- Nausea
- Trouble standing or poor balance.
- Dizziness
- Ringing in the ear
- A small bump or cut
- Temporary amnesia
- A mild blurring of the vision
Symptoms you need to observe if you have severe head injuries:
- Unusual eye movement
- Bleeding from deep wounds in the scalp
- Inability to focus
- Loss of consciousness
- Vomiting
- Poor muscle control
- Convulsion
Regardless of how bad your injuries are, it would be best if you got them checked immediately to avoid your symptoms from worsening.
Internal Organ Damage
This is probably one of the hardest injuries to detect. Mainly because the majority of the time, you don’t see any physical scars or bruises. Some victims may seem fine despite experiencing extreme force from the impact of a car collision, but this doesn’t mean that you should be complacent about this.
Signs of internal organ damage after a car accident include:
- Dizziness
- Fainting
- Deep purple bruising
- Stomach pain
- Lower abdominal pain
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Fever
Leaving damaged internal organs untreated may lead to severe consequences and can be life-threatening. If you feel abdominal pain a few hours after an accident, consult a doctor immediately. This is a serious sign of internal bleeding. It’s better to be more preventive with these cases to avoid sustaining life-altering injuries.
Nerve Damage
Your body is composed of hundreds of nerves. Your nerves are responsible for the control and coordination of your entire body. Your nerves are a vital part of your central nervous system. In case you experience serious nerve damage, you are at risk of losing certain feelings or sensations on your body, muscle twitching, and body weakness.
Nerve damage often affects the toes, brain, legs, face, feet, hands, shoulders, fingers, and other body parts.
Nerve damage is often manifested through:
- Difficulty speaking
- Limbs falling asleep when pressed
- Tingling sensation in extremities
- Abnormal pain and sensitivity
- Paralysis
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Loss of muscle atrophy and strength
Delayed Symptoms
Some symptoms may not present immediately and can appear days or weeks after an accident. These include:
- Persistent or worsening headaches
- Abdominal pain that intensifies over time
- Changes in physical coordination or fine motor skills
- Difficulty with vision or hearing that wasn’t present immediately after the accident
By being aware of these additional potential symptoms and getting timely help, you can avoid the complications associated with untreated injuries from a car accident. Remember, the impact on your body can be as unpredictable as the accident itself, and careful health monitoring is vital to a full recovery.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Car accidents can be a traumatizing experience for some people. Traumatic events like this, if left untreated, can lead to long-term symptoms. If you’ve ever been in a car accident and you feel overwhelmingly stressed, consult a psychologist immediately.
Some signs of post-traumatic stress disorder are:
- Flashbacks, nightmares, or distressing memories of the event
- Anxiety surrounding anything that reminds you of the accident. This could be a smell, sound, or sight.
- Mood changes, appetite, and sleep changes,
- inability to concentrate, general anxiety and depression
- Increased irritability or agitation without a clear cause
If you’ve been injured from a car accident, the first thing you need to do is consult a doctor. A healthcare professional can help you understand and address these symptoms. But the medical fees and the lost wages you’ll accrue while recovering can be quite overwhelming.
While recovering from your injuries, don’t hesitate to seek help from an experienced Los Angeles car accident lawyer from Arash Law.
