Car accidents can be traumatic and may cause serious injuries. Some of the common injuries may include broken bones and deep lacerations. However, other injuries that may not be apparent immediately after an accident.
During a car crash, your adrenaline may mask pain and discomfort, and it may take hours, days or weeks before you notice you were injured. However, just because some injuries aren’t apparent doesn’t mean they’re not serious. Below are some common hidden injuries you should watch out for after an accident.
Whiplash
Whiplash is a common car accident injury and may occur when the neck and shoulder are jerked back and forth. Usually, this type of injury occurs in rear-end collisions or when a car stops suddenly. If you sustain a whiplash injury, you may experience headaches, lower back pain, blurred vision and stiffness in the neck and shoulder.
When left untreated, whiplash may cause lifelong issues, including chronic pain, degenerative joint disease, diminished eyesight and permanent postural impairments.
Brain injuries
A blow or jolt to the head can result in severe brain injuries that may not show up until later after the accident. Dizziness, persistent headaches, slurred speech and memory loss, are some of the first signs of brain damage. A serious traumatic brain injury (TBI) can cause long-term effects, and you need to seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Spine injuries
During a car crash, the sudden force exerted on your body can cause serious spine injuries. Depending on how severe the accident was, you may experience pain or a stinging sensation in your spinal cord, loss of bladder or bowel control and altered sensation. If not properly treated, a serious spinal cord injury may lead to paralysis.
Not all injuries are apparent after a car accident, which is why you should get a medical evaluation, even when you think you’ve not been injured. Finding unseen injuries may help you seek treatment and provide proof when filing a claim against the at-fault party.