Never Ignore These Car Accident Injury Symptoms
Serious injuries, such as broken bones or severe lacerations, clearly need immediate medical attention. But some injuries mask themselves with only mild symptoms that go untreated. Physical, mental, and emotional symptoms of accident-related injuries are often subtle.
Symptoms can be delayed and not appear for several hours or days after the accident.
If you are involved in an accident, seek medical treatment for anything that is bothering you. The longer you wait to get treatment, the more you could be putting your health in jeopardy. Below is a list of symptoms you should never ignore.
Headaches or Vision Changes
Constant or intermittent headaches may be symptoms of a concussion or a traumatic brain injury (TBI). This is especially true if the headaches are accompanied by other symptoms, such as nausea, dizziness, any changes to vision, difficulty sleeping, or concentration and memory problems.
Pain or Discomfort in Neck, Shoulders, Back, of Hips
Pain, tenderness, or stiffness often occurs after a jolt from an auto collision. Whiplash is a common diagnosis for soft-tissue injuries to the neck or back. Physical trauma can cause injuries to muscles, nerves, tendons, and ligaments. You may have reduced range of motion or weakness in your neck, shoulders, back, or hips. You may need tests that only a medical professional can order, such as CT scans or an MRI, to properly diagnose your injures.
Numbness, Tingling, or Radiating Pain
If you experience pain that radiates from your neck or back into your limbs or if you experience numbness or tingling in your arms or legs, then you should see a doctor immediately. These could be signs of a spinal injury, nerve damage, or a herniated or bulged disc.
Abdominal Pain
Blunt trauma from a car accident can cause internal injuries that may not be obvious at first glance. Pain or swelling to your abdomen or torso could be a sign of internal bleeding or damage to vital organs.
Worsening Pain
You should see your doctor if you have pain in any part of your body that does not improve or keeps getting worse. Watch for swelling, redness, bruising, or a fever. These could be signs of a blood clot or infection.
Anxiety or Mood Changes
It is common to feel emotional distress after an auto accident. Sometimes you may have difficulty even riding in a car, let alone driving a car again. These could be symptoms of a concussion or brain injury or even PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder).
If you are hurt in a car accident, ignoring even mild symptoms may cause your condition to get worse. Without treatment, your injuries could lead to chronic pain that negatively affects all aspects of your life. You may end up not able to work, do household chores, or simply enjoy your everyday activities. Some injuries are obviously life-threatening, but any injury can threaten your way of life.
At Crocker Law Firm, we are always looking out for our clients. Our experienced attorneys and staff want you to take care of your health and get the treatment you need. Every day, we help people who have been injured across Kentucky and Tennessee. Call us if you have been hurt. It does not cost anything to see if we can help.
