Delayed injuries after car accidents are sometimes hard to spot. You’re dealing with the hassle of the insurance companies and car damage. So a relatively minor injury can sometimes go unnoticed for several days. However, it’s important to take stock of any symptoms after an accident, no matter how small, and alert your doctor. This documentation that they provide to your insurance company might be very helpful for a potential settlement. Always get things checked out if you experience headaches, neck and shoulder pain, abdominal pain, or back pain after a collision. Even a small crash can lead to serious injuries. So it’s always best to go ahead and let your doctor check you out.
Delayed Injuries After Car Accidents: Things to Look Out For
Headaches
Headaches are one of the most common delayed injuries after car accidents. They can occur because of the stress of the collision and the pain of insurance companies. However, they can also be a sign of a much more serious injury. Concussions and traumatic brain injuries often start with headaches. Therefore, if you’re experiencing a headache, go to the doctor for a check-up. Even if your crash didn’t involve any head injury, it might still be serious.
Neck and Shoulder Pain
Neck and shoulder pain are also delayed injuries after car accidents that many people experience. Whiplash is quite common with accidents. Even minor ones. Whiplash occurs when the muscles in your neck and shoulders bend more than they should. The resulting pain can last for several days. It’s best to go see a chiropractor or doctor if you are experiencing a lot of whiplash pain.
Abdominal Pain
Another of the delayed injuries after car accidents that can be serious is abdominal pain. The main thing to look out for with this type of pain is internal bleeding. It’s difficult to diagnose this at home because the symptoms are often very vague. For example, headaches and dizziness. However, if you feel abdominal pain or see a purplish bruise forming on your stomach, go to a doctor immediately.
Back Pain
Finally, one of the most common delayed injuries after car accidents is back pain. Back pain can be a sign that there is a neck or spinal injury. You might have torn muscles, ligaments, or herniated disks. All of these are issues that can progressively get much worse if they are not treated. Therefore, if you experience back pain after an accident, it’s important to see a doctor.
Delayed injuries after car accidents are quite common and can end up causing serious problems later on down the road. Headaches might be a sign of a concussion or some type of traumatic brain injury. Neck pain can be a sign of whiplash or something more serious. Abdominal pain is a very serious indicator of internal bleeding, which you would need to treat quickly. And finally, back pain can continue to cause problems if left untreated. The most important thing if you are experiencing injuries after an accident is to see a doctor quickly. They will make a record of your injuries. This can go a long way in helping you with an insurance claim. Hopefully, your injuries will be easy to treat. However, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.