Common Symptoms of Delayed Injuries After an Accident
Not all injuries are immediately apparent after a car accident. In fact, some may not manifest symptoms for hours, days, or even weeks after a crash. These are known as delayed injuries, and they can end up being just as serious if not more so, than injuries that are immediately obvious. Here are the most common delayed symptoms to watch for.
Headaches
A headache that develops hours or days after an accident can be a sign of several serious conditions, including a concussion, traumatic brain injury (TBI), or even a blood clot in the brain. While headaches might be dismissed as stress-related or minor, it’s essential to get them checked out by a medical professional, especially if they are persistent or worsening.
Neck or Shoulder Pain
Any delayed neck pain often means you have whiplash. Rear-end collisions, in particular, commonly cause whiplash. However, it could also signify a herniated disc or other damage to the spine. An x-ray, CT scan, or MRI may be required to diagnose it properly.
Back Pain
Back pain or sciatica pain often has a delayed onset. Sciatica is a type of pain that comes from the sciatic nerve and can radiate down one side of the lower body. There are many injuries that back pain could represent, such as a spinal cord injury, herniated disc, pinched nerve, soft tissue injury, sprain, or whiplash.
Numbness
Numbness or tingling often means there is a problem with nerve function, either because the nerve itself is injured or something is pressing on it. A loss of feeling in the hands or arms can indicate damage to the neck or spinal column or whiplash.
Abdominal Pain or Swelling
Internal bleeding can present with abdominal pain, swelling, deep purple bruises, shortness of breath, fainting, or dizziness. Without emergency treatment, internal bleeding can be very dangerous and possibly life-threatening.
Changes in Behavior
Changes to someone’s personality or behavior can be signs of a traumatic brain injury. Examples of symptoms can be numbness in limbs, paralysis, headaches, impaired memory, problems with vision or hearing, mood changes such as irritability or depression, the inability to speak, and more.
Emotional and Psychological Symptoms
Delayed emotional and psychological symptoms are also common after an accident. Conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances may not surface until days or weeks later. These symptoms can significantly impact your quality of life and require professional treatment.
I Have Delayed Car Accident Symptoms, What Now?
One of the major challenges in a car accident claim involving delayed symptoms is that insurance companies may argue that these injuries are unrelated to the accident. This issue becomes particularly problematic if you did not seek medical attention right after the crash or soon after your symptoms started to appear. However, an experienced Las Vegas car accident lawyer can help you navigate the complexities of dealing with the insurance company and legal proceedings if necessary, to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries and their long-term impact.