Just because you don’t feel pain right after a car accident doesn’t mean you weren’t hurt. It’s important to see a doctor after any crash to make sure you’re okay. A doctor might spot signs of an injury that you haven’t yet noticed. Many symptoms don’t show up until several days after a crash, such as back pain or injuries to your muscles, ligaments, or nerves. In more serious cases, you could have a traumatic brain injury or damage to your spine.
Learning to recognize the signs of delayed injuries could make a world of difference in not only your long-term recovery but your personal injury claim as well. If you sustained a delayed injury in a traffic accident caused by another person’s negligence, reach out to the Virginia Beach car accident lawyers at Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp to schedule a complimentary consultation.
Persistent Headaches
It is fairly common for headaches to show up days after a bad car accident. However, headaches can also be a sign of something very serious, like a neck injury, a blood clot, a concussion, or some other kind of head injury.
Swelling or Pain in Your Abdomen
If you have swelling or consistent pain in your stomach area, you should see a doctor. If you see bruising, feel faint, sick, or dizzy, it could be a sign of internal bleeding, which is very serious and demands immediate medical care.
Numbness
Feeling numb a few days after a car accident can be a serious warning sign. If you lose feeling in any of your extremities, it could mean you have whiplash. In fact, whiplash is so common that it occurs in roughly one out of five people injured in Virginia Beach car accidents. Numbness can also be caused by Injuries to your spine or neck.
Mood Swings and Personality Changes
Brain injuries can be complicated. If you start having trouble thinking clearly, notice mood changes, or feel different than usual in the days or weeks after a crash, it could be a sign of a brain injury.
Sensory issues relating to vision or hearing, aggression, memory loss, impaired concentration, and mood swings can all be signs of a traumatic brain injury.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Disturbing flashbacks, nightmares, trouble falling or staying asleep, and mentally reliving the incident weeks or even months later are all symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. Flashbacks are a symptom commonly experienced by kids who develop PTSD after serious car accidents.
Shoulder or Neck Pain
Ongoing shoulder and neck pain are relatively common among people injured in Virginia Beach car accidents. Of all the injuries that do not show up right away after an accident, whiplash is the most common. In the moments immediately following the crash, adrenaline is coursing through your body, which can mask the pain until later.
Whiplash is typically associated with rear-end collisions. The injury is known as whiplash because it is caused by the head and neck snapping quickly backward and forward during a crash.
Typically associated with rear-end collisions, whiplash typically heals in a few weeks. Its symptoms, however, can be persistent and lead to other medical complications. Whiplash often has to be diagnosed with tests like MRIs, X-rays, or other scans. If your symptoms don’t get better after about six weeks, you should see a specialist for additional help.
Do I Need to See a Doctor Right Away?
Since some symptoms do not manifest until days after a crash, it’s important to see a doctor as soon as possible. If possible, make an appointment with your family doctor, who already knows your medical history. If you feel any discomfort right after a crash, it will probably get worse later. Even if you feel unharmed, it’s still a good idea to see a doctor, especially if the accident occurred at high speed or caused a lot of damage.
After the emergency room, your regular doctor is the best person to check whether or not you sustained any serious injuries during the accident. They can also tell you what symptoms to watch for in case complications develop down the road.
What Are the Risks of Ignoring Symptoms After an Accident?
After a car accident, you should never ignore ongoing neck, head, or back pain, as these symptoms could indicate a much more serious injury. If your doctor finds an injury after the crash and starts you on treatment, make sure you follow the treatment plan and keep going until your doctor says you can stop.
Your medical provider is in the best position to determine how seriously you are injured and to prescribe the best course of treatment for your injuries. Your doctor’s notes and hospital records are the best proof of the treatment you received. This documentation is very important if you file an injury claim after a car accident.
Insurance companies often try to avoid paying claims. If you ignore your symptoms and hope they disappear, the insurance company may argue that you weren’t really hurt.
Talk to a Virginia Beach Car Accident Lawyer
Building a successful injury claim after a car accident demands both specialized knowledge and experience. Paying attention to your symptoms and getting medical care right away can protect both your health and your ability to file a strong claim. Taking these steps now can make a big difference in your recovery and your future.
The Virginia Beach car accident lawyers at Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp have been helping injured people and their families since 1985. In one recent case, we achieved a settlement of $5.5 million for a Virginia Beach family who suffered serious injuries after a truck driver hit their stopped car at a red light.
If you were injured in a recent car accident, our trusted attorneys can help. Call us at (833) 997-1774 or fill out our online contact form. We can review your case and outline your legal options for recovery. Our offices are located in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Hampton, and Portsmouth.