Watch Out for These Injuries After an Accident

Car accidents are stressful enough on their own. When you’re injured after a car accident, you might not even recognize any symptoms until days or even weeks after the incident.

After a car accident, you need to be on the lookout for these injuries that you might not notice at first! The problem with prolonged injuries after an accident is that it’s not as easy to get coverage from your insurance if your injury doesn’t reveal itself until later.

According to the Association for Safe International Road Travel, 2.35 million people in the United States are injuries in a car crash every year. The Personal Injury Lawyers Los Angeles recommend looking for the following injuries after an accident so you can protect yourself!

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X-ray image; image source: unsplash.com

Herniated Discs

While neck and back pain is common after a car accident, herniated discs are a more dangerous condition to look out for. A herniated disc is when the tissue between vertebrae of the spine ruptures or moves out of place.

This can put a lot of painful pressure on spinal nerves. Symptoms of herniated discs include loss of feeling, severe pain in the affected area, or even muscle movements out of your control.

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Back problems; image source: pexels.com

While you might immediately feel the pain associated with a herniated disc after an accident, they could take weeks or even months after an accident to develop. While some herniated discs only require minor treatment, others need surgery or cause long-term problems.

Concussions

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Migraine; image source: pexels.com

Concussions are often thought of as minor, but they can be quite serious. A concussion is a type of mild traumatic brain injury and should be taken seriously. When your head is banged around in a car accident, you might seem fine at first.

Concussions often don’t show signs for hours or even days after an initial impact. If you don’t seek treatment, you could be at risk of developing a worse injury if your brain doesn’t have the chance to heal. Symptoms of concussions include nausea, dizziness, blurred vision, and confusion.

Shoulder Injury

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Shoulder anatomy; image source: pexels.com

Shoulder injuries are one of the most common types of injuries after an accident. Most of these shoulder injuries are caused by the seat belt pulling against a single shoulder during an accident.

If there is a large collision, you might even be twisted a certain direction against the seat belt, causing a tear or injury to your shoulder muscle. You can experience deep tissue bruising, painful strains, or more severe shoulder tears which might need surgery. Shoulder injuries can get worse over time and require immediate medical attention. Don’t wait to see a doctor if your shoulder hurts after an accident!

PTSD

The final injury to look out for after an accident isn’t a physical injury. PTSD or post traumatic stress disorder is common after all types of car accidents, and the psychological effects of this can be crippling.

This type of trauma can manifest itself in anxiety, depression, and even a phobia of driving. You might experience emotional outbursts, self-blame, or even suicidal thoughts. It’s just as important to take care of your mental wellness after an accident as it is to treat physical injuries!

Healing After an Accident

Car accidents damage more than just our cars. They leave impressions on our bodies and minds that can take months or years to heal.

After a car accident, don’t assume everything is fine if you don’t have any immediate symptoms. Be vigilant about any potential problems that arise in the next few days and weeks. You might be feeling the effects of a car accident! Even if time has passed, you might be eligible for coverage and damages from your insurance company. Review your policy to learn more about your rights after the accident.

About author:
This article was contributed to healthiack.com by a guest author.

Revision 5.10.2018 – dead link removed.

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