Delayed Injury Symptoms After a Car Accident
Millions of people visit the emergency room each year following car accidents. Car accident injury statistics fail to include the millions who do not seek immediate medical care for their injuries or whose injuries go undetected until a later date.
What are Delayed Injuries?
Car accidents are stressful situations that cause the body to release adrenaline and endorphins. Adrenaline and endorphins can mask pain, increase strength, and cause hyper-awareness in accident victims.
Many accident victims are unaware of the severity of their injuries for days or even weeks following an accident.
What are the Symptoms of Delayed Injuries?
Car accident victims should be aware of delayed injury symptoms and notify their medical providers of any change in their health. Delayed injury symptoms can denote serious, worsening conditions like internal organ damage or traumatic brain injury.
Common symptoms of delayed injuries include, but are not limited to:
- Headaches;
- Neck or shoulder pain;
- Abdominal pain;
- Back pain; and
- Emotional or behavioral changes.
The best way to prevent delayed injury symptoms and health repercussions following a car accident is to seek immediate medical care and follow-up emergency care with a timely doctor’s appointment.
Headaches
According to the American Migraine Foundation, 25% of car accident victims experienced delayed onset headaches six months after their accident. Headaches are linked to concussions, traumatic brain injury, and whiplash.
Neck or Shoulder Pain
Neck and shoulder pain can be caused by whiplash or neck hyperextension. Symptoms of whiplash can take days or weeks to appear and include neck or back pain, numbness, weakness, and headaches.
Concussions can accompany whiplash.
Abdominal Pain
Abdominal pain or swelling could be a sign of internal bleeding or organ damage. Especially if experienced with dizziness, fainting, headaches, or bruising.
Internal bleeding may not be visible making a thorough medical examination imperative after a car accident.
Back Pain
Back pain after a car accident can indicate spinal cord damage. Spinal cord injuries can range from mild to severe and need medical diagnosis. Lower back pain is the most common complaint among car accident victims.
Imaging tests are typically used to determine the extent of a victim’s spinal cord damage and in developing a treatment regimen.
Emotional or Behavioral Changes
Traumatic brain injury is linked to emotional and behavioral changes. Mood swings, sleep disturbances, and irritability can be signs of a traumatic brain injury.
Serious car accidents and injuries are traumatic and are known to cause post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD. PTSD is a mental health disorder characterized by anxiety, depression, flashbacks, and nightmares.
Contact an Experienced Milwaukee Car Accident Attorney Today
If you are suffering delayed injury symptoms following a car accident, seek medical care immediately. Treatment is the best and only way to keep your symptoms from worsening.
After you are medically stable, contact the Milwaukee car accident attorneys at Mingo & Yankala, S.C. Our legal team is compassionate and concerned with getting you the care and compensation you need to move ahead with your life.
Let Mingo & Yankala, S.C., advise you of your legal rights and options in a complimentary consultation. There is never a risk to speak with one of our professionals about recovering your accident-related losses.