Delayed Symptoms After Car Accident
I’m Ed Smith, a car accident lawyer in Davis. Auto accidents are scary events. The fear they induce can be compounded by the fact that some of the physical injuries that can be sustained by children and others involved can be delayed in their arrival. Although the injuries may be latent in their arrival, it does not diminish their importance and need to have the symptoms addressed. A delay in treatment can complicate a traumatic injury.
Late Arrival of Symptoms
It is also important to be cognizant of these potential late arriving symptoms so that you do not mistakenly attribute them to something else. If you have recently been involved in a car accident, be on the lookout for these injuries in the weeks following the incident.
Headaches
Headaches are common delayed-onset injuries. Not only are headaches common, but they can also be indicative of several different maladies. Headaches can range from mild to severe. If you have a prior history of headaches, you can experience a worsening of your, or your child’s, regular headache pattern. Regardless of their intensity they should not be ignored, as they can be signs of any of the following issues:
- Concussion
- Cervical Sprain (whiplash)
- Neck injury
- Blood clot
- Brain injury
Pain in the shoulders and neck
Pain that develops in these areas can be a sign of cervical sprain (whiplash) or spinal injury. If you begin to experience pain in these areas after a car accident, you should seek appropriate medical care to determine if you need an x-ray or other imaging test.
Internal bleeding
If you experienced internal bleeding after a car crash, it likely happened right away. However, your symptoms might not show up right away. The first indication of internal bleeding may come in the form of abdominal pain a few days after a car crash. If you are on aspirin or other anticoagulation medicine, make sure to let a doctor know if you are experiencing abdominal pain or other symptoms. Signs of internal bleeding may include:
- Deep bruising or a purple tint to the skin
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Lightheadedness
- Fainting
Internal bleeding can be life-threatening if it is not treated early. So, if you experience any of these symptoms, it is crucial to seek medical attention immediately.
Back pain
Your back and spine can experience a lot of shock when you are involved in a car accident. It is not uncommon to feel pain or discomfort in the lower back after a car crash. This pain can be indicative of a number of maladies including a sprain, strain, whiplash, herniated disk or damage to the muscles or ligaments in the area.
Emotional symptoms
Being involved in an accident can be horrific and frightening. It is normal to experience feelings of depression or anxiety afterward. Young children may not directly express these symptoms, but act out, have bad dreams or regress to previous behaviors like bed wetting or thumb sucking. These feelings can be a result of the accident itself or the injuries that were sustained. Some people have been known to have a change in personality after an accident, this result can be indicative of a concussion.
Seek Medical Attention – Save a Life
Any delayed symptoms after a car accident can be serious and should not be ignored. Even if you seem okay after an accident, be sure to seek medical attention to make sure there are no hidden issues that could be harmful. It could save your life.
Davis Auto Accident and Personal Injury Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Davis car accident lawyer. If you, or someone you love has suffered a serious injury due to a car crash, please call me anytime at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly advice.
I am a Million Dollar Advocate. This is a group of selected top US trial lawyers who have obtained verdicts in excess of 1 Million Dollars.
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My website contains a wide variety of personal injury topics: www.autoaccident.com.
Image attribution: By Matthew Hale – originally posted to Flickr as Isaiah squatting, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7457594
Source of delayed symptoms after car accident ~
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