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Types of Injuries You May Not Notice You Have After a Car Accident

No one can dispute the trauma a person experiences after a car wreck. You may have thought you have made it out in one piece, even after a minor mishap. However, some injuries are not so obvious. That is why you should receive medical help, whether you believe you need it or not.

Also, consider this – According to Country Line Chiro, a North Miami car accident doctor, “physical injuries are one thing, but many people also feel anxiety after a car accident.” Therefore, going through this type of event can do both physical and mental damage.

For example, you may be driving along on a beautiful sunny day – everything seems perfect. You feel confident and happy. Suddenly, out of the blue, you are faced with the unexpected. A car is headed directly toward you. Or, you may stop and get jolted – a pick-up strikes you from behind, causing a rear-end collision.

While some people may escape from a car wreck with minor physical injuries, they still may be affected mentally. After all, getting involved in a crash is not something you expect. Therefore, the following list of injuries–whether physical or mental–can affect you after this type of incident. These are the delayed or hidden injuries that may surface after you have had a wreck.

1. Soft Tissue Injuries

The impact of a car accident can lead to soft tissue damage. Again, this type of physical complaint may not immediately be apparent. That is why it is essential that you are treated the day of an accident.

After several days, soft tissue injuries can lead to mobility problems, stiffness, and chronic or acute pain. Soft tissue injuries often affect a patient’s wrists, elbows, knees, arms, shoulders, legs, and back. They can also lead to conditions, such as whiplash, which involves the tendons and muscles of the neck.

2. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is yet another injury that may reveal itself after an auto crash. Most people who develop PTSD don’t experience symptoms right away. They may start experiencing the effects of the impact days or weeks later. Some of the symptoms may include phobias, nightmares, depression, anxiety, and flashbacks.

3. Spinal Cord Damage

Some victims, after a car mishap, may discover they have a slipped or herniated disc, a fracture of the spinal cord, or nerve damage along the spinal column. These injuries, which may not appear immediately, can lead to paralysis. Some patients may notice a tingling sensation, pain, or a loss of function several days after their accident.

4. Injuries to Internal Organs

Injuries to internal organs may not be instantly recognizable either. During a vehicle crash, a seat belt may apply undue pressure, affecting the kidney, intestines, heart, lungs, or liver. Slow internal bleeding may develop or the patient may encounter a loss of bodily functioning as the result of a damaged organ. Again, getting treated immediately is the best way to ensure this type of outcome.

5. Traumatic Brain Injuries

If you slam your head against an object during a car crash, it might lead to an injury that does not emerge right away. For example, if the brain slowly swells or bleeds, the victim may not notice any symptoms until they abstain more damage.

6. Concussion

While most people relate a concussion to getting knocked out, the injury may begin as a mild injury – worsening over the following days. Caused by a blow to the skull, the symptoms of a concussion may intensify over time, and include headache, confusion, memory loss, nausea, changes in speech, fatigue, vomiting, and dizziness. People may also experience irritability, sensitivity to noise or light, or problems with sleeping.

7. Emotional Distress

Some car accident victims develop symptoms, after a wreck, related to emotional distress. Therefore, don’t overlook the value of seeking mental health counseling after this type of crash. Symptoms may include a loss of appetite, episodes of crying, and feelings of fear and anxiety.

Some patients go through bouts of frustration or lash out angrily without provocation. Others may withdraw from friends and family, entertain thoughts of suicide, or self-medicate. Mood swings and a lack of focus also signal the need to receive mental health assistance and therapy.

In the End, You Need to Be Safe

Play it safe and contact a medical professional and mental health counselor if you get involved in a car accident. Legal and medical experts advise that car accident victims receive help immediately following a crash so they can receive follow-up care, if needed. Don’t avoid seeking help, as doing so can help you manage through the next few weeks more confidently and with less stress.

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