5 Hidden Injuries to Watch Out for After a Car Accident

Every year, thousands of people in Texas visit emergency rooms for car accident injuries. Some of these injuries are immediately apparent, such as lacerations or broken bones. In other cases, however, a car accident victim may not notice he or she has an injury until hours or even days after the crash. Learn five hidden injuries to watch out for after a car accident so you know when to seek the medical attention you need.

Concussions and Traumatic Brain Injuries

The brain is a complex organ that may not show immediate symptoms when injured or damaged. If you bump your head in a car accident, you might notice pain, headaches or dizziness right away – or it may take some time to experience symptoms. If a bump or blow to the head caused swelling or bleeding in the brain, for instance, this is a slower type of injury that may take several hours to show noticeable symptoms. It is important to see a doctor immediately after a car accident even if you don’t think you hit your head. A doctor can diagnose you with a traumatic brain injury before you notice symptoms.

Herniated or Slipped Disk

Spinal cord disks are the rubbery, donut-shaped parts that separate each vertebra. Spinal disks are what allow vertebrae to flex and move without pain or discomfort. If a car accident injures the back, it could cause a disk to slip out of place or rupture (herniate). This injury could cause severe pain, loss of feeling and loss of muscle control if the disk puts pressure on the nerves.

You may notice the symptoms of a herniated disk right away, or it could take weeks or months for symptoms to appear. In some scenarios, a car accident begins the injury by pushing the disk out of place, but a subsequent task, such as lifting heavy boxes, completes the injury by rupturing the disk. Do not rule out a car accident as the cause of a back injury, therefore, even several weeks after the crash.

Neck and Shoulder Injuries

Whiplash is one of the most common injuries from car accidents in Texas. Whiplash can occur when a collision whips the head and neck violently back and forth, causing the muscles, tendons and ligaments in the neck to stretch or tear. While you could feel pain in your neck and shoulders immediately after an accident, it could also take a few days for the pain to become noticeable. This is true for other soft-tissue injuries as well, such as muscle strains in other parts of the body.

Internal Injuries

Many car accidents damage internal organs. A broken rib could puncture a lung, for example, or the abdominal organs could collide with one another in a crash. Internal injuries can have immediate or hidden symptoms. You may not notice internal bleeding or damage to an internal organ until it worsens and causes serious symptoms. Be aware of stomach or abdominal pain of any kind after a car accident. Do not dismiss it; go to a hospital immediately for a checkup.

Psychological Injuries

Physical injuries are not the only type that may impact you after a car accident. You could also experience psychological injuries that make it difficult to move forward. The fear, stress and trauma related to a crash could cause a condition known as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD can cause symptoms such as depression, anxiety, nightmares and flashbacks. Most victims do not notice the signs of PTSD, however, until a few days or weeks after a car accident.

As a car accident victim in Texas, you could be eligible for compensation for both physical and psychological injuries – even injuries with hidden or delayed symptoms. Speak to a car accident attorney as soon as possible after your crash for assistance seeking full financial compensation for all of your losses.