After a car accident, one of the first things you should do is undergo a medical evaluation. Seeing a doctor will determine the best course of treatment for your injuries, but also help discover unknown injuries. In some cases, it can take hours or days after a crash for symptoms to appear. Here we discuss six that are particularly important to observe.
Headaches Days After an Accident
Even if you experience a migraine right after an accident, you may disregard it as a normal reaction. However, a throbbing head can often indicate a deeper problem. A headache, especially one followed by dizziness or nausea, is often the first symptom of a traumatic brain injury.
Don’t Ignore Stiffness in the Shoulders and Neck
It can take days or weeks to experience soreness and stiffening in the neck and shoulders, following an accident. Any back or neck pain should be checked out promptly by a medical professional because it can indicate whiplash. Serious neck injuries happen to many people, caused by the whipping motion the head endures in most traffic accidents. It doesn’t look like a lasting injury, but whiplash is one of the most severe injuries people sustain in car accidents.
Take Back Pain Seriously
Back pain may also take a while to develop, so you should be aware of the dangers associated with it. While something as simple as a pinched nerve can cause discomfort, back pain may also result from grievous injuries to the muscles, joints, or spinal column. If you experience any changes, including back pain, numbness, or tingling, consult with a doctor immediately.
Signs of Internal Bleeding
Typical symptoms of internal bleeding are more obvious than symptoms for other conditions. Even if it wasn’t identified in the initial medical examination, knowing these symptoms can save your life. Watch for swelling of the abdomen, unexplained bruising, episodes of dizziness, or fainting spells.
Numbness and Tingling are Not Normal
In general, report any sensation of numbness or tingling to your doctor. These types of symptoms are almost always signs of a deeper problem. They may indicate an internal injury caused by the accident or these sensations may point toward the onset of an illness. In either case, you should consult a doctor.
Traffic Accidents Can Cause PTSD
Commonly associated with the effects of military service, post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD is characterized by intense emotional reactions to memories of a profound event. Car accident survivors can also experience this psychological issue, and it’s more common than you may realize. . PTSD ranges in severity, but some instances inhibit your ability to function on a daily basis. A doctor or psychologist can help identify PTSD and administer treatment, but you must seek help for this issue. It’s not a visible problem or something the hospital will notice on a blood test, so it’s up to the accident victim to seek assistance.
You can read more about delayed car crash symptoms here.
Get Help From Louisiana’s Car Crash Attorneys
While a medical evaluation should be one of the first things you do, the second should be to contact a car crash attorney. An experienced lawyer can help ensure you receive the financial compensation you deserve. An accident can leave you with significant financial burdens, so it’s crucial to enlist the help of an attorney to help you handle the task of recovering compensation.
The attorneys with E. Orum Young have been helping car accident victims recover compensation for over 35 years. They are standing by to help you in your time of need. Call Louisiana Car Wreck today at (318) 450-6453 or contact us online for your free case evaluation.
