Almost anyone can get into a car accident at any time. The good news is that most people hurt in a car accident only suffer minor injuries, although some accidents result in serious, even fatal injuries. In some cases, it may seem as if you have walked away unharmed from a car accident.
Perhaps you don't notice anything is wrong. Trauma, however, can cause our bodies to react in an unexpected way, delaying our response to an injury. Additionally, adrenaline can mask temporary symptoms of injuries from a car accident. In the event of an accident, be aware of delayed symptoms that could indicate an injury.
Regardless of whether you think you were injured, we advise that you at least seek medical attention in the immediate aftermath of a vehicle accident - because some delayed conditions, such as whiplash, can have serious consequences if they are left untreated. We will take a closer look at a few of these risks and why medical attention should be sought immediately after an accident.
Common Delayed Symptoms After a Car Accident
Neck and Shoulder Pain
You might decide to go to work the next day if you feel fine after an accident. As time passed, your neck and shoulders became increasingly sore and painful. The pain might even be so severe that you decide to go home. After a car crash, don't ignore neck pain. Pain in your neck and shoulders may indicate whiplash. In case of pain or stiffness, you should schedule an appointment with a chiropractor right away.
Headaches or Migraines
The delayed symptoms of car accidents commonly include headaches. Although your head may not have been physically damaged by debris or impact, excessive neck extension or unnatural movement can still cause severe damage. Getting an MRI or going to the hospital is a good idea to rule out brain damage, concussions, and blood clots.
Back Pain
One of the most common delayed accident symptoms is back pain. There are several causes of back pain after an auto accident, including a herniated disc, spinal injury, sprain, whiplash, or soft tissue injury. If you are experiencing tingling or numbness, then you may have a pinched nerve. Although their severity can vary, these injuries can be debilitating. Additionally, they can cause difficulty walking. Making an appointment to be treated is critical to preventing long-term pain.
Numbness or Tingling
Whiplash can sometimes cause numbness or tingling in your extremities, like pins and needles. When nerves surrounding your spine are damaged or injured, this type of pain can persist if not treated. Chiropractic care, physical therapy, or spinal specialists can diagnose and treat spinal injuries causing numbness or tingling.
Abdominal Pain
As soon as abdominal pain manifests, it should be examined immediately. This indicates internal bleeding may have occurred. Internal bleeding can go undetected for hours or even days. This is a life-threatening condition requiring immediate emergency medical treatment.
Emotional Stress or Distress
Experiencing emotional distress or stress after a car accident is possible. You may not feel comfortable driving or get into a car. A delayed accident symptom such as this may be an indication that you have developed PTSD. Traumatic stress is a cause of PTSD. The condition is very common among police officers, military personnel, and victims of sexual assault. Many traumatic events can lead to PTSD, and symptoms after a car accident can worsen over time. This can have a significant impact on the quality of your life by dictating how you should function. If you suffer from PTSD, we highly recommend seeking help from a professional. Service animals provide comfort and help prevent or manage panic attacks when victims are suffering from these conditions.
Changes in Behavior
After suffering a car accident, you or a loved one may notice subtle behavior changes that could be a signal from your brain that something is wrong. When someone suffers a concussion in a car accident, they may suffer from personality changes, memory loss, hearing, or vision issues. Car accidents are the third leading cause of brain injuries. You can begin your recovery process as soon as you are diagnosed, so schedule an appointment right away if you notice any changes in behavior after a car accident.
Untreated Whiplash and Symptoms
During a car crash, whiplash, or the sudden jerking of the head forward and backward during the collision, is common and well-known for its delayed effects. Several areas of the body can be affected by this movement, including the neck and back muscles, ligaments, and tendons. In the case of an untreated whiplash injury, the damaged inner workings of the neck can lead to chronic pain and headaches. The symptoms of whiplash may not appear for several hours after the accident. In spite of the possibility of healing with time, whiplash can cause severe pain and suffering for months. With proper whiplash treatment, the area around the neck can be strengthened and your range of motion can be increased.
When a true whiplash injury does occur, untreated symptoms may have lasting effects. Here are some long-term effects of untreated whiplash symptoms:
- Chronic pain
- Neck and shoulder stiffness
- Reduced range of motion in the neck and shoulders
- Dizzy spells
- Ear ringing
- Pain in the jaw
- Numbness in your arms or legs
- Surgery is required
Untreated whiplash symptoms can have serious long-term effects, so if you are in an accident, you should seek treatment for it right away. If you have a misaligned vertebra in your neck, a chiropractor can determine the extent of the damage. With the use of chiropractic adjustments, physical therapy, and/or instrument-assisted treatment, a chiropractor can effectively treat a whiplash injury.
Back Injuries and Symptoms
A car accident can also result in injuries to the back, and this is another area where it can be difficult to determine the extent of the damage based only on the symptoms present. During the days or even just hours following an accident, you will likely experience some pain, but you cannot know for sure how significant the injuries are without an exam and diagnosis.
Without examination or treatment, back injuries can end up causing everything from chronic pain to a permanently slouched posture. Additionally, they are associated with muscle spasms and nerve pinching, both of which may occur in the long term, causing significant pain.
Following a traumatic accident, it's important to recognize any signs of a back injury, including:
- Pain
- Muscle spasms
- Muscle weakness
- Aching or stiffness along the spine
- Trouble standing for an extended period of time
Chronic back pain, bad posture, muscle spasms, and sometimes pinched nerves may result from not treating back injuries. Depending on your occupation, you may have difficulty working, and your quality of life may be affected. An expert in back pain treatment can tailor a treatment plan to your injury and lifestyle. Depending on your level of activity, your chiropractor may recommend exercises that will help strengthen your back. For those who were not previously active, physical therapy may be most beneficial.
Untreated Brain Trauma
During a car accident, brain injuries pose one of the highest risks. Symptoms and signs here can also be delayed. For instance, someone can sustain a concussion in a car accident without losing consciousness or being aware of the injury at all. In case of even the slightest possibility that a brain injury has occurred, regardless of whether you are experiencing specific symptoms, medical treatment should be sought to avoid problems such as insomnia, mood changes, memory loss, and even depression. Speech problems, as well as issues with taste, smell, and sight, are also possible symptoms. These problems can affect behavior, impulse control, and thought processing.
Why it is Important to Seek Medical Care After an Accident
Following a car accident or any accident, you should put your health first. The injury may not show symptoms even if everything appears fine after the accident. Chiropractic treatment, for example, can speed up your recovery process. In order for your injuries to heal properly, you need to take steps to prevent them from turning into chronic problems. At first, you can expect to see your chiropractor 3-5 times a week, depending on the severity of your injuries. Within a few weeks, your treatment plan will change, and this number will decrease. If you have been injured in a car accident, especially if it was due to the negligence of someone else, it is important to have your injuries documented. The more you document your injuries, the more likely you are to receive an insurance settlement to pay for your medical expenses.
Contact DOCS4PI
When you've been in an accident, finding help is one of the most important things you can do. Injuries you sustain in an accident, whether it's from a collision with another vehicle, slipping and falling or medical malpractice, can have serious consequences on both your physical and financial well-being. If you feel you were injured in a car accident, contact us at 1-888-DOCS4PI. Our team can put you in touch with the right people who can help.
