Of the more than 2 million car accident injuries that occur each year, many survivors are immediately aware of their injuries. However, there are also cases where injury symptoms can take hours, days or weeks to materialize. Some delayed injuries can result in permanent disability or death without prompt treatment. Intracranial bleeding is a good example. This is where blood pools up under the skull, which can lead to brain swelling.
There are a couple of post-crash symptoms that may signal a more serious problem. The Mayo Clinic maintains a list of symptoms that are commonly associated with delayed injuries after a car accident. Injuries that can lead to delayed symptoms include:
- Concussion. There are some immediate concussion symptoms, such as dizziness, nausea, fatigue and confusion. However, some symptoms can persist for days or weeks after the accident. Mental health problems or issues with concentration may plague crash survivors weeks after suffering a concussion.
- Internal bleeding. The symptoms of internal bleeding depend on the organ that is affected. You may vomit blood in some cases if you have an abdominal injury. However, if you have intracranial bleeding, you may develop a severe headache, vomiting, confusion and dizziness. Some of these symptoms are similar to concussion symptoms. You should get checked out by a doctor after an accident if you experience some of the symptoms listed here.
- PTSD. Post-traumatic stress disorder is a mental health condition that is most famously associated with war veterans. However, many car crash survivors can also develop PTSD. This debilitating condition can lead to insomnia, anxiety, panic attacks, substance abuse and a fear of being around other people.
- Whiplash injury. The impact forces of a collision, especially one from the rear, can lead to a whiplash injury. With this type of injury, your muscles and nerves suffer damage. You might notice neck pain, tingling around the site of the injury, difficulty moving your arms or neck and headaches that start at the base of the skull. Additional symptoms of a soft-tissue injury include inflammation, stiffness and discoloration on and near the site of the injury.
- Infection. You are at a greater risk of infection if you suffered lacerations or burn injuries during the crash. For this reason, you should look for potential signs of an infection. Symptoms include redness around the site of injury, discharge, swelling and pain. Infections can spread to other parts of the body. You should seek immediate medical attention if you notice any of these symptoms.
You should seek medical treatment after a serious accident for a couple of reasons. First, you establish a record of damages caused by the accident. If you have an injury, then going to a hospital will be proof-positive that you suffered harm during the crash. Second, you may have one of the conditions listed above. Some of these conditions are fatal or debilitating if left untreated.
Most people are reluctant to seek emergency medical attention for one reason – it costs a lot of money. However, it can be a more costly mistake to not seek medical attention. Depending on your circumstances, it could make it more difficult to pursue a successful claim for your injury. You may be able to recover compensation for your present and future medical expenses through a settlement or jury verdict.
Contact a Car Accident Lawyer in Daytona Beach
Zimmet & Zimmet, P.L. accepts car accident cases in Volusia County and the surrounding areas.
If you have been injured in an accident, speak with one of our attorneys at Zimmet & Zimmet. Call our Daytona Beach office at (386) 255-6400 for a free consultation and case review.
