When most people get into an auto accident, they will experience some pretty obvious injuries, which are often the painful ones that show up right away. However, there are also a lot of hidden injuries that can occur after an accident, which might not show up until days or weeks later, but they can still be just as debilitating.
Whiplash
Whiplash is a neck injury that can occur when your head is suddenly and violently jerked forward or backward. It can damage the ligaments and muscles in your neck, as well as the nerves. Symptoms of whiplash include neck pain, stiffness, headaches, dizziness and fatigue. When left untreated, whiplash can lead to chronic pain.
Traumatic brain injuries
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a serious head injury that can occur when your head hits an object or you experience a sudden jolt or blow to the head. Symptoms of a TBI can range from mild, such as a headache, to severe, such as a coma or memory loss.
Spinal cord injuries
A spinal cord injury is a serious injury to the spine that can cause paralysis. Symptoms of a spinal cord injury include back pain, numbness, tingling and weakness in the arms or legs. When you don’t seek treatment for a spinal cord injury after an auto accident, it can lead to permanent paralysis.
Internal bleeding
Internal bleeding is a serious condition that can occur when an organ is damaged in an accident. Symptoms of internal bleeding include abdominal pain, shortness of breath and dizziness. Internal bleeding can be life-threatening if it’s not treated right away.
If you’ve been in an auto accident, it’s important to seek medical attention even if you don’t think you’re injured. Some injuries, like whiplash, can take days or weeks to develop, so it’s important to get checked out by a doctor as soon as possible after an accident.