Delayed Injuries from a Car Accident

The speed and force involved in automobile collisions are so great that it is no surprise that the outcomes can be devastating. However, at times, you could suffer an injury and not realize it. Some injuries do not manifest immediately, and pain after a vehicle crash can be delayed for days or even weeks.

Victims may feel overwhelmed by what occurs at the collision site and due to the physical, emotional, and legal implications. Some individuals even develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after an auto accident. You may notice various physical symptoms after a car crash, but some signs do not show up right away. However, these delayed symptoms must be taken seriously.

Potential Delayed Symptoms After a Vehicle Accident

Following a car crash, you should understand that various physical and mental symptoms may not manifest immediately, such as soft-tissue injuries that usually take hours or days to show up as pain. The following delayed symptoms should not be ignored:

Neck pain

Neck pain is a classic whiplash symptom, which often occurs after rear end collisions. The head is whipped forward and back due to the impact, and this causes herniated discs, sprains and strains, and spinal cord injuries. The symptoms may show up in hours or days and can remain for days, months, or even permanently.

Abdominal pain

After a vehicle crash, stomach pain can signal soft tissue damage from the impact, such as internal bleeding or injuries to internal organs. If you feel dizzy, have stomach pain, or develop large bruises, consult a doctor immediately. The victim may sustain a tearing of the abdominal aorta, also known as an abdominal aorta aneurysm, if the impact of the accident causes compression of the stomach. This is a very dangerous and typically fatal internal injury.

Back pain

Following a car crash, back problems can impair your mobility, routine activities, and ability to function. Back pain after a vehicle accident can occur due to slipped or herniated disks, soft-tissue damage, spinal injuries, and whiplash. Victims can suffer from back pain for months or even years. Therefore, it’s vital to seek medical attention right away if you suffer from back pain after an accident.

Lack of concentration or memory loss

You may experience trouble recalling or struggling to focus on a task over time. Automobile accidents can result in a long list of psychological and emotional issues. However, these problems can also occur due to a traumatic brain injury (TBI) you suffered in a wreck. The quicker you get assessed by a doctor, the faster you can initiate your recovery.

Numbness and tingling

In case you hit your head during an auto accident and experience numbness or a sensation of pins and needles somewhere on your body, it could be a subtle indication of brain trauma or a more significant problem with your nervous system. You may also feel this sensation due to a herniated disk or a pinched nerve. However, it could also feel this sensation because of a much bigger health problem. Get immediate medical treatment.

Constant headache and nausea

After a car crash, people typically get a headache or feel nauseous. But this could signal something more sinister. Whiplash, other neck injuries, or a blood clot can lead to headaches. The combination of nausea and headache is quite worrying and may indicate a concussion or a more serious TBI. If you hit your head during an accident, it can alter your brain or damage your brain or brainstem. This is a medical emergency, and you need to consult a medical professional immediately.

Excessive sleep and feel fatigued.

Accident victims often heal exhausted after the adrenaline wears off from a car crash. You may not have that much energy if your body is healing. But there may be something else at play if you are sleeping excessively after a vehicle collision. This may be indicative with depression. You could potentially have a TBI, which can impact sleep. Both of these problems are serious, so you should seek medical help as soon as possible.

What if your pain was delayed?

Delayed symptoms are common, and many people experience pain after an auto accident. For example, a few hours or days after the crash, you may notice soreness in your shoulders or neck. It is best to get examined right away if you have been in a car crash, especially if you experience any symptoms.

If you plan to file an insurance claim for your injuries, it is vital to understand how long you have to go to the hospital after a vehicle accident. To find out, speak to the insurance provider. Under Virginia law, you have two years from the date of the incident to file a vehicle accident claim. But the longer you take to get medical attention, the more challenging your case becomes for personal injury.

Hire Experienced Personal Injury Lawyers to Seek Maximum Compensation

If you have been in a car, truck, or motorbike accident, it is understandable to want to move ahead with your life as soon as possible. Yet, you should not accept a settlement from an insurer right away without consulting an attorney first. Insurance companies do not make profits by doling out generous settlement awards. On the contrary, they augment their bottom line by limiting your damages as far as they can.

Will the settlement offered by the insurance company be adequate to cover all your medical expenses for as long as necessary? To understand this, it is vital to get solid legal advice from the seasoned car accident attorneys at Olmstead & Olmstead. Call us today at (703) 361-1555 for a free and confidential consultation.