Delayed Accident Injuries
Typically, when you’ve been injured in a car accident, you feel the injuries almost immediately and seek medical attention. However, it is not unusual for Florida car accident victims to experience pain from their injuries hours, days, or even weeks after an accident. Regardless of whether you feel you’ve been injured in an accident, it is important to seek medical treatment as soon as possible because some accident injuries don’t manifest immediately. Common delayed accident injuries include:
Concussions
A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury that occurs when a blow or jolt to the head causes the brain to bounce against the skull. A victim can sustain a concussion even if they haven’t been hit in the head. The sudden momentum caused by a collision can cause someone’s neck and head to jerk back suddenly and lead to the brain hitting the skull. Someone does not need to be knocked unconscious in order to have a concussion. Concussion symptoms include headache, disorientation, sensitivity to lights and sound, irritability, and sleep disturbances. While most people with concussions recover fairly quickly, concussions can lead to serious long-term complications.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue injuries consist of damage to the muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Sprains, strains, and contusions usually fall within the category of soft tissue injuries. The symptoms of soft tissue injuries can take some time to present themselves, and the severity of the injuries are highly dependent on the specific situation. Common symptoms associated with soft tissue injuries include stiffness, pain, problems with range of motion, and difficulty bearing weight.
Whiplash
Whiplash is a neck injury that is common in rear-end collisions. Whiplash usually occurs when there is a back and forth jerking motion of the neck. The muscles, nerves, and joints of the neck are overextended. Symptoms of whiplash include neck pain, headaches, and dizziness. It is not unusual for whiplash symptoms to be delayed, often appearing several hours or days after an accident. Serious cases of whiplash can take months before full recovery and in some instances can cause permanent pain.
Psychological Trauma
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental disorder that results when someone is exposed to severe trauma. Those who have been injured in serious accidents are susceptible to the disorder. The symptoms of PTSD are mental and not physical, so sometimes victims have a hard time getting a diagnosis and treatment.
Contact a Trusted Attorney
If you’ve been seriously injured in a car accident, you should consult with an experienced personal injury attorney. Contact the trusted lawyers at Abrahamson & Uiterwyk online or call us at 1-800-538-4878 to schedule your free consultation.