The traumatic impact of a vehicle collision can injure any part of a person’s body. Some auto accident injuries are highly visible, like lacerations caused by broken windshield glass. However, other injuries are hidden and might not be felt right away. It’s possible for the symptoms of a car crash injury to show up a couple of days after the accident. Concussions and whiplash are a couple of common examples.
The delayed symptoms of a concussion
A concussion is a traumatic brain injury. It’s commonly thought that the head needs to strike an object for a concussion to develop. However, a concussion actually happens when the brain shifts within the skull, striking the interior wall of the skull. This can occur even if the head itself doesn’t strike the dashboard, side window, or other object.
The symptoms of a concussion can develop days after the crash. During the coming weeks and months, patients may experience new or worsening symptoms. Some possible indicators of a head injury include the following:
- Dizziness or vertigo
- Anxiety, irritability, and fatigue
- Loss of concentration, and problems with memory and learning
- Behavioral and personality changes (including aggression or hostility)
- Sensitivity to light or noise
Watch out for the symptoms of whiplash
Whiplash is a soft tissue injury that affects the neck. Victims of rear-end accidents are at a high risk of whiplash. It usually won’t show up right away after an accident. During the next couple of days, patients may begin to experience neck pain, soreness, and stiffness. They might also experience upper back discomfort, dizziness, ringing in the ears, and limited range of motion in the neck. Headaches are often reported. These usually originate at the base of the skull. Whiplash can sometimes become chronic, and so it’s important for patients to seek medical care right away to reduce this possibility.
Keep track of signs of psychological distress and PTSD
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is often associated with combat veterans. But in fact, it can happen to anyone who experiences a traumatic event, including a motor vehicle crash. A car accident survivor with PTSD might suffer from nightmares and flashbacks about the accident. Survivors might have severe anxiety. They also may find themselves unable to climb back into a car, either as a driver or passenger. It can take intensive therapy to recover from car accident-induced PTSD.
What to do after a car accident in Louisiana
To improve your chances of securing maximum compensation, it’s important to document everything in the wake of a car accident. Take pictures of the accident scene, write detailed notes about your auto accident injuries and recovery, and make sure that, in your medical records, the doctor notes that a car accident was the cause of your injuries. If you do experience delayed symptoms, you should return to the hospital for another exam. Keep an updated list of all of your symptoms and diagnoses, as well as your medical expenses.
In addition, you should contact a car accident lawyer as soon as possible. Bart Bernard Injury Lawyers, located in Lafayette, Louisiana, works with clients from all over the state to help them get the compensation they deserve. Call today to request a case review. Click Bart First, Call Bart First.™
Additional resources for car accident survivors
- Mayo Clinic, Post-Concussion Syndrome, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/post-concussion-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20353352
- Mayo Clinic, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/post-traumatic-stress-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20355967
