Delayed Physical Injuries To Look Out For After A Car Accident

There are times when injuries are fairly obvious right after a car accident occurs. For example, if a person dislocates their shoulder or sustains a severe laceration in a car crash, they will notice. However, not all car accident injuries are immediately apparent. There are times when injuries do not appear until hours or even days after a car accident occurs. Here, we want to discuss the most common delayed physical injuries that crash victims need to look out for, and when it’s time to contact an Albuquerque injury lawyer. 

Neck or Shoulder Pain

One of the most common injuries that occur after a vehicle accident is whiplash, which is caused by the sudden deceleration forces involved in the incident. A crash can cause a person’s body to “whip†back and forth rapidly, which can lead to straining of muscles and tendons in the upper back and neck. Typically, this type of injury does not show signs or symptoms right away, though symptoms may occur in the hours or days following the vehicle accident.

Headaches

Any type of headache that occurs in the aftermath of a vehicle accident can signal a more serious injury. When a vehicle accident occurs, our heads can strike any number of objects, including the steering wheel, the dash, the side frame of the vehicle, or the airbag. When a person sustains brain trauma, the signs and symptoms may not show up right away. It is not uncommon for the brain to bleed or swell, and this can occur in the hours and days following a crash. A headache could be a sign that a person has sustained a more serious brain injury that needs prompt medical intervention. 

Back Pain

Back pain following a vehicle accident can signal a wide variety of possible injuries. This can include damage to ligaments or muscles, nerve damage, ruptured or herniated disks, or vertebrae damage. Back pain can occur regardless of the type of vehicle accident, including head-on collisions, T-bone collisions, rear-end collisions, and more.

Stomach or Abdominal Pain

Any type of stomach or abdominal pain or swelling that occurs in the aftermath of a vehicle accident could indicate that there is internal bleeding, which requires emergency medical care. If stomach or abdominal pain accompanies other symptoms, including dizziness, numbness, or bruising around the abdomen, it is important to seek medical treatment immediately.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

It is not uncommon for vehicle accident victims to sustain symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This can include feelings of stress, fear, anxiety, sleeplessness, increased irritability, flashbacks, social isolation, and more. Even though this may be an “unseen†injury, it is crucial for crash victims to recover compensation for these losses as well.

Contact an Attorney

If you or somebody you love has sustained a delayed car accident injury, you need to reach out to an Albuquerque car accident attorney as soon as possible. A New Mexico vehicle accident lawyer can examine the facts of your case and help you recover compensation, even if you did not seek medical care immediately following the incident. These cases can be challenging, but an attorney can walk you through the process and work towards negotiating a fair settlement on your behalf.