Hidden Injuries from Car Accidents You Shouldn’t Ignore

What do you first check for after being involved in a car accident? Perhaps if you have any visible bodily injuries and wounds, or not. If you don't, you breathe a sigh of relief and concentrate on taking other required measures.

You make sure everyone else is fine, call the police, inform your car insurance company about the accident, and even hire an injury lawyer in Sacramento to recover the financial damage you might have incurred due to the party at fault's negligence that caused the accident. 

You already know it's going to be a long day! But think again, amid everything, are you making a mistake that can have devastating consequences in the near future? What many car accident victims often ignore is getting immediate medical attention if there are no visible injuries or any symptoms of injuries. 

However, in some cases, health complications might arise later on, unannounced and with no initial symptoms. How can you prevent that? We'll let you know on this blog! We'll give you a clear picture of the hidden injuries that you need to be aware of after being in a car accident to avoid any major problems in the future.

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Why are Some Injuries Not Noticeable at First?

To understand how to tackle a situation, we should first know why it happens in the first place. In the context of a car accident, you might wonder why you didn't initially feel any pain after a minor accident. The reason is simple. When you've been in an accident, your body releases a large amount of adrenaline and endorphins. 

These hormones are super powerful in masking your pain! It can trigger your body's "fight or flight response" and trick you into focusing on more stressful things instead of your minor injuries. Sometimes, this can be dangerous. 

While you try to manage the situation, an internal injury can slowly develop. Another possible reason for your injuries to go unnoticed is a delayed inflammatory response. Inflammation and swelling develop slowly, so symptoms don't appear until the body begins healing.

In addition, injuries such as whiplash or concussions begin with a slight sense of unease that can continue to intensify over time. To be able to handle the situation carefully and stay a step ahead, it's always better to know about the symptoms and how to address these hidden injuries right away. We will talk about these injuries in more detail in the upcoming section.

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What are the Hidden Injuries to Look Out for After a Car Accident?

Even if you feel absolutely fine after a car accident, you can watch out for these delayed symptoms that can cause serious health issues later on.

# 1 Whiplash

Also known as neck strain, whiplash is one of the most common types of injuries that you might come across during car accidents. It occurs due to the sudden and forceful back-and-forth movement of your head during a car collision. 

You can experience stiffness in your neck, headaches, shoulder or upper back pain, dizziness, or even fatigue due to this injury. If you don't have your neck examined shortly after the accident, your symptoms will gradually become worse with time.

# 2 Spinal and Back Injuries

Are you getting a slow-developing back injury following a car accident? It is most probably because of strained muscles in your back. Additionally, if you already have some minor trauma to your neck or head, it's better to have your spinal cord inspected for any injury as well.

Ignoring this can worsen any swelling and bleeding that might be occurring in your spinal cord. The result is not pleasing at all. You can get numbness or paralysis in the future. So, always visit your doctor, even if you feel physically perfect after the accident.

#3 Internal Bleeding

Internal bleeding can be your biggest threat while dealing with hidden injuries after an accident. Not addressing these issues can result in life-threatening situations. In certain severe incidents, it can lead to internal hemorrhage, ruptured spleen, bleeding around the brain, etc. 

So, if a blunt force has hit your body during the accident, look out for symptoms like bruising, abdominal pain, fast heartbeat, blood in urine or stool, etc. Always get checked for this type of injury after you've been in an accident.

#4 Concussions

If you feel like you're having confusion, headache, nausea, ringing in your ears, dizziness, and memory issues after an accident, you probably have a concussion! While this injury might not show up immediately, it can be dangerous and lead to a long recovery time if left untreated for a long time. To avoid such complications, it's best to follow your doctor's advice after getting yourself checked for concussions.

# 5 Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Did you know that half of road traffic accident victims develop PTSD after a month? While we mostly stress physical rehabilitation, this silent mental trauma can slowly harm us internally, and we won't even notice it! It can impact your daily life, overall quality of life, and mental health in the long run. 

So, if you're having severe panic attacks and anxiety, frequent mood swings, insomnia, flashbacks, and nightmares about the accident, you can get professional help to recover from PTSD.

Other Minor but Significant Health Issues 

• Soft Tissue Injuries: These injuries, like strains, sprains, and tears in your ankles, feet, shoulders, wrists, or elbows, might not be immediately painful but can result in recurring pain and limited mobility in the future. So, always get these issues checked out before they become troublesome.
• Abdominal Pain: Pain in the abdomen after an accident might seem minor at first. But don't ignore it if it persists for a long time, and get medical help right away. It can be due to internal bleeding or damage to an internal organ like the kidney, liver, spleen, etc.

The good news is that if you've been in an accident that has caused you injuries, you can recover your medical and other expenses with the help of an accident attorney in Sacramento.

They'll help you sue negligent drivers, vehicle manufacturers, etc., if they are responsible for your accident. An auto accident attorney can help you get the compensation you deserve for your lost wages, pain, and suffering.

Don't Shy Away From Demanding the Compensation You Deserve After a Car Accident. Contact an Accident Attorney in Sacramento at Doyle & O'Donnell for a Free Consultation!

How Medical Attention after a Car Accident Injury Can Help You

Now that you know what injuries to watch out for, let's see how addressing them early on can be helpful for you in all aspects.

• Prevent Serious Health Conditions: It can save you the trouble of potential future medical complications. Some injuries, like internal bleeding, concussion, and spinal damage, can get quite serious if not dealt with immediately. 

Taking medical help right away will prevent these issues from becoming life-threatening and can prevent potential chronic health conditions, too.

• Important for your Legal Case: Medical records can also be proof of injuries after your car accident. It can strengthen your legal case if you are looking for compensation from the party at fault. 

If you delay seeking medical help, the party at fault can argue that your injuries weren't due to the accident. You can rely on an accident lawyer in Sacramento to inform you in detail about what medical records can be useful to make a strong case.

Takeaway

Hidden injuries can cause dangerous medical issues if you don't get immediate medical help. So, right after a car accident, see if you have neck injuries, internal bleeding, spinal cord and back injuries, PTSD, or concussions, and get necessary treatments. 

Opting for medical help can not only improve your condition but also help you file a legal claim for your deserved compensation if someone else is responsible for your accident.

Don't Compromise Your Legal Rights After a Car Accident! Get Help from Our Injury Lawyer in Sacramento at Doyle & O'Donnell.

At Doyle & O'Donnell, we know the mental and physical trauma car accident victims go through! So, we listen, we care, and we take immediate legal action to compensate for all your physical and psychological suffering. With a 4.8 Google ranking, we have top-rated personal injury attorneys who can fight aggressively to protect your rights.

We have over 30 years of experience in the legal industry. Our personal injury attorney will give you the legal advice you're looking for and will be by your side every step of the way.

Our business is BBB-accredited and has an A+ rating. So, you can trust our auto accident lawyer in Sacramento to help you get the justice you deserve as quickly as possible. Call us at 916-579-7923 today!