Some Injury Symptoms Can Be Delayed After an Accident
Even if you walk away from a car, motorcycle or bike accident feeling okay, it doesn’t necessarily mean you are. Injuries don’t always manifest immediately, and you may not even know that you were hurt until hours, days or even weeks later.
After an accident or other traumatic event, your adrenaline is up, which can mask pain. Or, you might be so distracted with the details of the accident that you don’t notice your symptoms right away. Finally, some internal injuries start out painless and worsen over time – you may not know you’re injured until it becomes a life-threatening situation.
Don’t shrug off any changes in your physical or mental health in the weeks after an accident. Ensure you seek medical attention and be on the lookout for these delayed symptoms of injury.
- Headaches. Even a minor headache can be a sign of a concussion or more serious traumatic brain injury, especially when accompanied by dizziness, nausea, confusion or memory problems. Headaches can also indicate bleeding within the brain, which can be fatal if left undiagnosed.
- Neck and shoulder stiffness. The force of a car accident can cause problems like whiplash, or damage to the neck and shoulders. If you begin developing stiffness in these areas after an accident, you may have experienced soft tissue damage or even a rotator cuff injury. Without treatment, these injuries can worsen and cause chronic pain and damage.
- Back pain. Experiencing back pain after an accident could be a sign you suffered a serious injury, especially if the pain begins radiating to your buttocks and legs. You may have damaged back muscles or ligaments, or even cracked a vertebrae or herniated a disc. In severe cases, there may be spinal cord damage, which can lead to permanent disability.
- Abdominal pain. Blunt force trauma from an accident can cause internal damage to vital organs. Without medical intervention, this can lead to internal bleeding. Common symptoms of internal bleeding and injury include pain and swelling in the abdomen, dizziness, nausea, bruising and shortness of breath.
- Numbness or tingling. Feeling numb or tingling in any part of your body should be noted with caution, especially after an accident. This could be a sign of nerve damage, spinal cord damage, internal bleeding, a blood clot or any number of things. It’s important to get a medical diagnosis to rule out anything life-threatening.
- Anxiety or PTSD. Post-traumatic stress disorder is a common condition arising from the trauma of being involved in a serious accident. If you find yourself experiencing flashbacks, depression, changes in mood or behavior, panic attacks or other issues in the weeks following your accident, talk to a mental health professional about your symptoms. PTSD is a treatable condition.
After an accident, ensure you document your injuries thoroughly, and keep an eye on your symptoms. When you do your best to seek appropriate medical care, your attorney can work to seek the maximum amount of compensation from the individual who caused your accident.
The injury attorneys at Larson Law Firm, P.C. protect the rights of people injured by the negligence of others. We fight hard for compensation on your behalf. To arrange a free consultation, call us in Minot or Bismarck today at 701.484.HURT or complete our contact form.
Mark Larson is a Certified Civil Trial Specialist and Certified Civil Pre-Trial Specialist focusing on personal injury, car accidents, wrongful death, and oil field claims. Since 1979, Larson Law Firm has served the injured throughout North Dakota. Read more about Mark V. Larson.