Work-related car accidents are traumatic events, even when there is no visible damage. Often you experience a mental fog after a car accident. This makes it hard to focus. You may not be aware that you have suffered an injury right away. Some injuries are not symptomatic until much later. Some of these types of injuries can have the most serious consequences. Here are 7 injury symptoms that you should not ignore if you have recently experienced a car accident.
1. Headache, Pain or Pressure
A headache a few days after a motor vehicle accident is very common. Most often, the cause of the pain is benign. However, it could be a symptom of a more serious problem such as concussion or neck injury. A pulsing headache could indicate a problem like increased blood pressure.
2. Shoulder Pain or Neck Stiffness
Whiplash is the most classic example of a delayed onset symptom. It is usually not evident until the next day. Many do not realize that whiplash can occur from accidents taking place at any speed, even when there is no damage to the vehicle. Typically, vehicle damage occurs at speeds around 14 miles-per-hour. Crash tests show that occupants can sustain a neck injury in low-speed crashes of just 2-3 miles-per-hour. Diagnostic tests are necessary to rule out other complications and for final diagnosis. Whiplash can cause a disability that can last months or longer. In order for neck or shoulder pain to subside completely, the victim may require physical therapy.
3. Abdominal Pain and Swelling
Internal often have a delay in onset of symptoms as it takes time for this injury to evolve. Other symptoms that indicate internal injuries are vomiting of blood, bloody, dark or black stools, feeling dizzy when standing up, fainting. Any of these symptoms accompanying abdominal pain or swelling must be evaluated in the nearest ED immediately. Medical personnel should be informed that you were involved in an accident recently.
4. Numbness or Loss of Feeling
Nerve damage can occur anywhere in the body after a car crash. The associated sensation may be tingling, stinging, as well as, partial or total loss of feeling. These symptoms are indicative of compression of the nerves in your neck or spine. This can be due to swelling. Compression of peripheral nerves that are located near an injury, like a cut or bruise can cause similar symptoms. If not treated, these types of injuries may result in irreversible tissue or nerve damage.
5. Deferred Back Pain
Back pain is sometimes felt immediately after car accidents. However, there are many times in which a delay in the onset of pain associated with this injury can occur. One with a preexisting condition of the spine like degenerative disc disease, might not immediately feel back pain. Patients with this disease perceive the pain from an injury sometimes hours after the actual injury occurred.
6. Changes in Mental State
Concussion symptoms are stealthy and may not become evident for hours after a head unjust. Lethargy is the most common symptom of concussion or traumatic brain injuries (TBI). If you notice that a crash victim becomes excessively sleepy suddenly, seek help immediately. Other symptoms to watch for include, problems completing simple tasks, confusion, loss of coordination, impaired memory, altered vision, and ringing in the ears. The CDC reports injuries from MVAs account for around 14% of all TBIs.
7. Post Traumatic Stress (PTSD)
Research suggests that 9% of traumatic car accident survivors will develop some degree of PTSD. For individuals with a history of mental illness, including depression that number is much higher. PTSD is always delayed in its onset, occurring weeks and months after the traumatic event occurred. Symptoms of PTSD might include sleep disturbances, anxiety, fear, depression, and vivid dreams or memories of the accident.
The consequences of a work-related car accident are costly for the victim emotionally, physically, and financially. Serious complications may occur as a result of a motor vehicle accident, appearing days to weeks after the trauma. It is important to seek medical and legal attention as soon after the crash occurs as possible. If you are a victim of a motor vehicle accident, please be aware of the possible delayed symptoms that can occur well after the crash.
If you have experienced delayed onset injury symptoms after being victim of a work-related car accident in the Minneapolis or Twin Cities area contact Meshbesher Law Firm today to discuss your case.
