When most people think of auto accident injuries, they envision dramatic damage such as broken arms and bloody faces. But not all car accident injuries are visible to the naked eye. You could feel perfectly fine following an accident and unknowingly have a serious injury that becomes obvious days or months later.
Here are the top 6 hidden auto accident injuries.
1. Ruptured or Herniated Discs
Back pain following a car accident can mean you have a herniated disc. A herniated disc occurs when the tissue between the vertebrae of your spine expands or ruptures. And this is often what happens following the blunt force of a collision.
A herniated disc puts pressure on the nerves that extend from the spine. And when these nerves become inflamed, you’ll certainly feel it. The first step is to contact your doctor for an examination. After that, you might have to visit a chiropractor or physical therapist for help with recovery.
2. Neck or Shoulder Injury
Car accidents often cause the body to jerk suddenly. This quick movement can cause injury to your neck and shoulders. Even if you were wearing a seat belt during the accident, you can still suffer damage.
A powerful tug on your seat belt can cause nerve damage, tissue injury, and damage to your joints, tendons, and muscles. These injuries are usually temporary, but medical attention is recommended as you could have a concussion or whiplash.
3. Knee Injury
Your knees take a lot of stress every day. And knee pain is so common until most people just ignore it until it goes away. But if you’ve been in a car accident, your knee pain could indicate a serious problem that needs medical attention.
If your knee hits the dashboard, you could bruise the bone, damage the muscle, or tear the cartilage. These injuries require more than a heating pad, ice pack, or Tylenol. Failing to seek medical attention could leave your knee with permanent damage.
4. Stomach Pain
Stomach pain following a car accident is usually more than just a bad case of gas or a pulled muscle. You might think it’s no big deal, but you could have a serious injury.
Stomach pain is sometimes a sign of a damaged internal organ or internal bleeding. When the internal soft tissue in your stomach is damaged, the pain can last for days or hours following the accident. If you’ve been in an accident, don’t assume your stomach pain is no big deal. Immediately seek medical treatment.
5. Psychological Damage
The psychological damage caused by a car accident is often overlooked. But it’s a serious issue that can affect your life permanently if not addressed. When most people think of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), they think of soldiers scarred by war, or people who have experienced violent crimes. But PTSD can affect you if you’ve been involved in a car accident.
Recognizing PTSD in an accident victim isn’t as simple as checking an X-ray. That’s because the damage is mental and not physical. You might have PTSD if:
- You have flashbacks, nightmares, or repetitive thinking about the accident. In most cases, these symptoms will affect your ability to sleep. You might also experience auditory memories, such as hearing screeching tires when there’s no car nearby.
- You avoid people, situations, or places that remind you of the car accident. This could include developing a fear of being inside a car, being afraid to drive, or feeling extreme anxiety when you’re near the scene of the accident.
Anxiety following an accident is common. But if the anxiety prevents you from living your life, then it’s cause for concern.
- You become extremely nervous or frightened by things that previously caused no response. Your heart rate might increase at the thought of walking in the park, although it’s something that usually brings you peace. Or the thought of going to work might cause you to break out into a cold sweat, even though you love your job.
- You become depressed and experience negative thinking. It’s common for accident victims to become depressed or negative following the accident. This is because the accident sometimes changes how they view the world around them.
For instance, you might become depressed knowing that you aren’t as safe behind the wheel as you previously thought. Or you might start to believe that driving is dangerous and that no one should ever drive.
Of all the hard-to-spot auto accident injuries, PTSD is among the most insidious. Seek professional treatment if you suspect you’re experiencing PTSD.
6. Traumatic Brain Injury
A traumatic brain injury is often tricky, mostly because it can take months before the injury becomes obvious. But if your head takes a hit during a car accident, a traumatic brain injury is possible.
When you hit your head, your brain sometimes takes the brunt of the impact. And the resulting injury can cause long-term damage. It’s a serious issue that needs medical attention.
You might have a traumatic brain injury if you become more forgetful than usual. An extreme personality change can also result from a traumatic brain injury. For example, you might become less patient, or become angry or irritated much more often and faster than in the past. In short, your personality could seem to become the opposite of how you were before the accident.
It’s a movie cliche when an accident occurs. The victim gets into a crash, feels dizzy, shakes their head, and then announces that they’re perfectly fine. Usually, because the dizziness has passed and there isn’t any pain. This is fine in the movies, but in real life, you need to seek medical attention.
Realize that your adrenaline increases during an accident. When you’re adrenaline is pumping full speed, you’re less likely to notice pain. So just because you’re not currently feeling bad, that doesn’t mean nothing is wrong.
Get Advice from an Accident Injury Lawyer
Are you a resident of Boynton Beach or a nearby area? Are you dealing with pain caused by auto accident injuries? If so, contact a Boynton Beach auto accident lawyer today for advice on what to do next.
A Boynton Beach auto accident lawyer can help you get compensation for your auto accident injuries. You need a lawyer with experience and a history of helping auto accident victims get the compensation they deserve.
Contact the Bodden & Bennett Law Group today. We will help you get compensation for medical bills, physical therapy, lost wages, and more. When you need a Boynton Beach auto accident lawyer, the Bodden & Bennett Law Group is ready to help.
