You do not always know you have been hurt at the car accident scene. Your injuries may only become apparent in the days or weeks after the car accident. You must get immediate medical help, not just for your physical health but also for the sake of your legal case. Here are some reasons your car accident symptoms may manifest only after the crash.
The Adrenaline of the Accident
The shock and trauma of the accident can cause a sudden rush of adrenaline, which is still going through your body in the aftermath of the crash. The adrenaline can stay with you for hours afterward, and it can mask pain and the symptoms of injuries. However, it would begin to wear off over time. Once it does, you will begin to feel pain. Most often, you would start to feel pain in your neck and back in the hours or days after a car accident because of the jarring impact of the crash.
You Could Have Internal Injuries
Internal injuries are perhaps the most serious delayed car accident health condition. The trauma of the accident can cause internal damage to blood vessels or internal organs. You may not see or notice the injury at first. However, this does not mean that an internal injury is not serious. By the time you notice a symptom, your health situation could have gotten far worse.
Car accident internal injuries could include:
- Collapsed lung
- Organ damage
- Lacerated kidneys
- Broken ribs
- Ruptured spleen
- Internal bleeding
- Ruptured abdominal aorta
Some internal injuries can even be life-threatening. It is vital that you seek treatment as soon as you experience any symptoms that are consistent with internal injuries.
Whiplash Causes Delayed Symptoms
Whiplash is one of the most common car accident injuries. It often happens in rear-end car accidents. The force of the rear car, which is traveling faster, is transferred to your vehicle and body. Your head will snap forward while your body remains still. The impact of this motion can be devastating to your body.
Whiplash could cause pain in your neck and back. You might not feel it at the accident scene because the injury takes a little time to cause pain. Whiplash can be even more serious when the impact of your head snapping forward causes your brain to slam against the base of your skull. Then, you could suffer permanent brain injuries. In general, whiplash can be a debilitating injury, leading to constant pain and a loss in your range of motion.
You Should Get Medical Help
As soon as you begin to feel symptoms of an injury, you should get medical help. Your symptoms could grow worse if they are left untreated. The sooner you get treated, the quicker you may be on the road to recovery. In addition, the insurance company could argue that you made your symptoms worse by delaying your medical help. You can rest assured that the insurance company will review your health records to see when you sought help and whether you followed the doctor’s recommendations.
Our Alexandria Car Accident Lawyers at the Law Offices of Duane O. King Will Provide Assistance
If you have suffered any injury in a motor vehicle crash, our Alexandria car accident lawyers at the Law Offices of Duane O. King will help. Call us at 202-331-1963 or complete our online form to schedule a free consultation. Located in Washington, D.C., Alexandria, and Falls Church, Virginia, we serve clients in Prince George’s County, including Laurel, Beltsville, Adelphi, College Park, Greenbelt, Mitchellville, Woodmore, Greater Upper Marlboro, Springdale, Largo, Bowie, Capitol Heights, District Heights, Forestville, Suitland, Seat Pleasant, Clinton, Oxon Hill, Temple Hills, and Fort Washington.
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