In the moments following a car crash, confusion reigns as you try to figure out what happened. As the fog lifts, you realize that you were involved in a collision with another vehicle, and the occupant of that car acted negligently.
Motor vehicle accident victims suffer a wide range of injuries. In many cases, they claim to have escaped physical damage and “feel fine.”
Simply put, no pain does not mean that you escaped harm. The body’s reaction to immediate trauma is to produce adrenaline to help the victim not feel the initial trauma resulting from injuries. Common symptoms often do not manifest right away, with the effects showing up days later. Those include:
Abdominal pain
Perhaps the most dangerous type of delayed reaction to an accident is pain in the abdomen. Exterior signs may reveal deep purple bruises combined with dizziness, if not fainting. Signs of internal bleeding that has have not been diagnosed could be severe and potentially fatal. Immediate, emergency medical treatment is vital.
Headaches
One of the more common conditions following a motor vehicle collision. While seemingly harmless, more could be going on. Your head and neck may have suffered serious injuries and even a concussion. Headaches can also be a sign of potential blood clots in the brain or a traumatic brain injury resulting in bruising, swelling, and brain tissue damage.
PTSD
While often associated with occupations in the military and law enforcement or victims of sexual assault, post-traumatic stress disorders often affect people in car accidents. Left untreated, the condition only worsens, affecting your personality and negatively impacting your quality of life.
Personality changes
Concussions are common in more serious car crashes. In fact, all motor vehicle accidents rank third in brain injury cases, with cars at number two. The symptoms include difficulty thinking and concentrating, impaired memory, vision or hearing problems, or depression. More severe injuries result in dramatic changes in an accident victim’s personality.
Surviving and walking away from a car accident doesn’t mean you have avoided injury. Delayed pain and other symptoms require immediate medical attention. Holding the other driver accountable for their negligent acts mandates legal help.
