Car Crash Injuries That Go Unnoticed Until It’s Too Late
If you’ve ever been in a serious car crash, then you know how traumatic and devastating the impact can be. However, sometimes even milder car crashes can result in injury, regardless of whether you initially determine you feel fine. Due to the rush of adrenaline you experience from such a sudden occurrence, you may not actually feel anything until long after the accident. That false sense of security can be a big problem, because without proper documentation, you may have trouble forming a case later on.
Therefore, if you do ever get into a car crash, one of the most important things to remember amid all the ruckus is that you must go to the hospital regardless of how you may feel at the time. Injuries that may take time to become apparent to you include:
- Stiffness in your neck
- Headaches
- Numbness
- Even PTSD
One of the biggest examples of injuries that doesn’t emerge until later on is whiplash. Whiplash occurs when the muscles in the neck have been overextended due to the sudden jarring motion of the head. It’s not until you finally begin to relax that you will feel pain in your neck as the muscles tighten up and become inflamed. Even in low speed crashes, whiplash has known to occur, therefore it’s important to head to the hospital for X-rays and CT scans immediately.
Numbness is another symptom that usually does not become apparent until later. Just like whiplash, other muscles in your body can become overextended and swell, putting pressure on your nerves that cause numbness in different parts of the body. This can be the first sign of other injuries, therefore it’s imperative that you get a scan of your spinal column.
And finally, car accidents can be mentally and emotionally traumatic, regardless of severity. Maybe you had loved ones in the car and feared for their life, anticipating the guilt you’d feel should something happen to them. Any kind of trauma can result in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, leading to flashbacks, nightmares, and anxiety – seemingly triggered by nothing. It’s therefore important that you are documented as having sought out medical care immediately, knowing that bad things can come to those who wait.
