After a car accident, there are many things you need to process. With these things in your head, along with the adrenaline affecting your senses, you may not know you have sustained injuries. Even if you can process everything, you may not grasp the full effect on your body right away.
Some car accident-related injuries are obvious, particularly if you are bleeding, experiencing pain, or having broken bones. However, a lot of injuries take time to be detected. Whether or not you think you are injured after a car accident, seek medical attention right away. Also, contact an injury attorney in Sandy Springs to help you navigate the legal process.
Silent Car Accident Injuries
Below are common car accident injuries that may not manifest immediate symptoms:
- Whiplash. Whiplash is a type of neck injury that happens as your head moves back and forth forcefully due to the force of impact. It is common with rear-end crashes. This injury damages your soft tissues; however, it may not be felt immediately. Indeed, it can take a few days for it to show symptoms. A whiplash injury can heal in one or two weeks, but others may take longer to heal and cause chronic pain.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries. Your brain can sustain injuries during a car collision if the impact causes it to move around inside your skull. This can happen if your head hits your car’s side or dashboard. A mild TBI, called a concussion, is quite common following a crash. However, it may not be picked up immediately. Indeed, it can take days before you start experiencing symptoms such as headaches, anxiety, dizziness, trouble focusing, and fatigue.
- Spinal Injuries. Because of a collision’s impact, your spine can fracture, resulting in pain or numbness. Sometimes, the symptoms of a spinal injury may not be felt right away after an accident. You could return to your normal life but realize later you have a back or mobility issue. A spinal injury, depending on whether it is partial or complete, can cause you to lose feeling below the injury site.
- Internal Bleeding. A car accident can lead to injuries to the spleen, small intestine, and liver, causing bleeding. Also, bleeding can occur in the muscles and joints. It can take days before you can notice internal bleeding symptoms such as dizziness, low blood pressure, weakness, nausea, vomiting, and vision issues. Imaging such as CT scans and X-rays may be ordered to detect internal bleeding. If not treated, this injury can lead to death.
- Soft Tissue Injuries. Muscle tears and strains are examples of soft tissue injuries usually overlooked after a car accident. Such injuries can limit your mobility and cause chronic pain when not treated properly. Symptoms of these injuries can surface days or weeks later. Thus, it is important to seek immediate medical attention and document any discomfort after a crash.
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This silent injury can occur due to the emotional trauma sustained after a vehicle collision. You may not recognize the signs of this injury, which can include flashbacks, anxiety, nightmares, and avoidance of scenarios that are reminiscent of the car accident. When not treated, PTSD can seriously impact your quality of life.
Connecting Injuries that Have Delayed Symptoms to a Car Accident
After sustaining serious injuries in a car accident, you don’t need to manage your injury case by yourself. If you get legal representation, you have an expert on your side proving the cause of the injuries you suffered and their link to the accident. Your attorney may gather evidence such as medical records, diagnostic records, medical bills, accident scene photos, accident reports, injury photos, and witness statements. Also, your attorney may consult with medical experts who can confirm the link between your injuries and the accident you were involved in.
Can You Be Compensated for Delayed Injuries?
The driver responsible for the accident and their insurer can be forced to give you compensation after your attorney documents their negligence. Your attorney can pursue coverage of your hospital admissions, medical bills, assistive medical devices, emergency room treatment, therapy and rehab, in-home medical support, and treatment-related travel. In addition, your attorney may also demand compensation for lost wages, disfigurement, disability, mental and emotional anguish, pain and suffering, and loss of life enjoyment.
Car accidents can lead to different injuries, some of which are not immediately apparent. Early diagnosis allows for early treatment, which can improve your quality of life and long-term outcomes.
An experienced car accident lawyer can value your car accident claim to figure out the amount of compensation you are entitled to. They use their extensive knowledge of the state’s personal injury law and experience to calculate your case’s true value. They will help you avoid being taken advantage of by insurance companies and accepting lowball settlement offers. Your attorney will do everything to reclaim the maximum compensation you deserve for your injuries and losses.
