Car accidents harm hundreds of thousands of people in the U.S. each year. While we are accustomed to thinking of immediate and visible injuries after a car accident, that is not always the case. Some car accident injuries can take hours or days before they are noticeable. In the worst-case scenario, delayed car accident injuries can lead to permanent disabilities or death. Always seek medical attention after a car accident, as you may not be aware of all of your injuries.
FIVE COMMON CAR ACCIDENT INJURIES AND DELAYED SYMPTOMS
Common delayed car accident injuries include:
- Concussion. The symptoms of a concussion are not always apparent right away, so you should be sure to get checked out by a doctor after an accident. Delayed symptoms may include depression, tiredness and blurry vision. There are also long-term concussion symptoms to consider.
- Intracranial hematoma. An intracranial hematoma is a potentially fatal or disabling collection of blood on the brain. This type of delayed car accident injury may be caused by blunt force trauma. Although you may feel fine after an accident, this type of injury might go unnoticed at first, but it can lead to permanent disabilities or death.
- Whiplash injuries. Car accidents can bring you from fast speeds to low speeds in the blink of an eye. As a result, you may suffer whiplash injuries during the initial collision. Whiplash injuries are a type of musculoskeletal injury that can lead to severe pain and difficulty controlling your neck. In some cases, symptoms may take hours or days to develop. Whiplash injuries can also worsen the symptoms of injuries you had before the crash.
- Mental health problems. Car accidents are traumatic experiences. Some survivors, especially those with serious physical injuries, may develop health conditions like Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). In the case of PTSD, you may experience symptoms like panic attacks, depression, thoughts of suicide and flashbacks.
- Back injuries. There are multiple types of back injuries that may occur after a car accident. Disc injuries are common, such as a herniated or bulging disc. Depending on the type of injury, symptoms may include limited movement and pain. These symptoms could make your daily and professional life very difficult.
FILING A CLAIM FOR CAR ACCIDENT INJURIES
Serious car accident injuries could incur millions of dollars in medical expenses depending on the age of the person and the type of injury involved. For instance, a person with a spinal cord injury that resulted in quadriplegia could require around-the-clock health care services. There are other expenses to consider, such as your ability to continue functioning at your job. If your injury makes you unable to work, either shortly after the accident or permanently, then you will experience a sharp income drop. Some types of injuries may not be compensable, so you should speak with an attorney.
You should file a car accident claim if you or a loved one suffered harm. Compensation from a claim can help you pay for medical and life expenses caused by your injury or loss. Never wait to contact an attorney after a car accident as crucial evidence may disappear. If you are able, you should collect as much information as possible after a car accident. Be sure to take photos and grab the personal information of any witnesses.
NASHVILLE CAR ACCIDENT ATTORNEY WITH YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
Stanley A. Davis dedicated his career to helping injured and grieving members of the Nashville community. As a car accident lawyer with years of experience, Stanley A. Davis can help you determine whether it would be possible to file a successful claim. To schedule a consultation with our office, call (615) 866-3938 or use our online case review form.