You’ve been in a car accident but declined to get in the ambulance. You felt fine, maybe a bit stiff or sore, but you had no broken bones and you weren’t bleeding. Now, several days later, you’re still hurting and even have some new pains. Maybe you’re wondering if these new pains are related to the accident or maybe you slept wrong. But what if this pain is the result of your car accident, and could be signaling something more serious?
Thanks to modern vehicle safety features, people don’t suffer gruesome injuries as often as they used to, but the forces involved in a car accident can be tremendous. Because your body is moving at the same speed as the vehicle and then slamming to an abrupt stop, you can still suffer significant injuries that require medical treatment. Therefore, the first and most important thing you should do after an accident is to get checked out by your doctor, even if you don’t think you need medical attention. Your doctor can diagnose your symptoms and help ensure a full recovery.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue injuries refer to injuries to parts of the body that aren’t bone, such as muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Soft tissue injuries often manifest themselves in bruising, swelling, aches and pains, and reduced mobility or stiffness. They can take days or weeks to present themselves and can linger for quite a while. It’s important to consult with your doctor about any pain or other injuries that you may be experiencing following the accident.
Common Delayed Symptoms
The following are some common symptoms that often manifest themselves quite sometime after the accident:
- Back pain
- Headaches
- Abdominal pain or swelling
- Tingling or loss of feeling in extremities
- Blurred vision
- Confusion or clouded thinking
If you are displaying any of these symptoms, see a doctor as soon as possible.
Common Injuries
Here are some of the most common injuries that tend to manifest themselves after a car accident:
- Whiplash – typically caused by rear-end collisions, even at slower speeds; can cause a headache, back or neck pain.
- Concussion – can be caused by even moderate head trauma, typical symptoms include a headache, blurred vision, or foggy thinking.
- Internal hemorrhaging – may be caused by the seat belt, may be manifested by abdominal pain or swelling.
- PTSD – vivid and disturbing memories or nightmares about the accident; increased anxiety or nervousness when driving or riding in a car; insomnia; general distress.
These are serious injuries that could carry long-term effects. If you are suffering from any of these or the symptoms above, seek medical attention immediately.
You’re Injured, What Next?
If you were injured in a motor vehicle accident, you may be entitled to compensation if the accident was the fault of the other driver. You may be able to recover monetary damages for your injuries, plus any lost wages, property damage, or other expenses caused by the accident. Keep careful records, including copies of any receipts, invoices, doctor’s notes, and accident reports. Additionally, it is advisable to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney to help understand your options.
Contact an Atlanta Personal Injury Attorney
If you’re injured and need sound legal advice, reach out to the personal injury attorneys at Slappey and Sadd. We have worked with many car accident victims and are ready to help you with your case. Call us at 404-255-6677 or email us via our online contact form in order to schedule a free consultation.