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If you have not been injured in a car accident before, you might assume that the pain and other symptoms from injuries would set in immediately, but that is not always the case. Sometimes, signs of an injury do not appear until hours or days later. Some severe wounds do not show any indications of their existence until the injured person goes into a medical crisis or emergency.
This blog will let you know about some of the common delayed symptoms after a car accident so that you know what you might expect. If you suffer injuries from a collision that was not your fault, a Los Angeles car accident attorney could help you go after compensation for your wounds and other losses.
Common Delayed Symptoms of a Possible Head Injury After a Motor Vehicle Crash
You might feel fine immediately after the car accident and think that you do not need medical attention, only to discover later that you have developed one or more of these common symptoms:
- Headache
- Sensitivity to sound or light
- Pain in your head or facial bones
- Nausea, with or without vomiting
- Dizziness
- Falling, stumbling, or balance issues
- Loss of consciousness
- Confusion
- Unusual pupils in your eyes, like unequal sizes or not responding to light
If you experience any of these symptoms within the hours or days following a car crash, you might have a head injury. You should get medical attention right away.
Delayed Symptoms of a Possible Neck, Shoulder, Spinal Cord, or Back Injury After a Car Accident
Here are some of the indications that you might have a whiplash, crushed or fractured vertebra, slipped or herniated disc, or another type of injury to your neck, shoulder, spinal cord, or back:
- Pain in your head, neck, arms, legs, shoulders or back
- Difficulty moving any part of your body
- Stiffness or soreness in your neck, back, arms, or legs
- Weakness
- Dizziness
- Loss of function
If you have symptoms of a neck, back, spinal cord, or shoulder injury, you will want to seek immediate medical attention. If you suspect damage to one of your vertebrae, it is best not to move. You should call 911 or have someone place the call for you because even slight movement could cause a sharp edge of a damaged spinal bone to move and cut through your spinal cord, possibly causing paralysis or death.
Other Delated Symptoms and What They Might Mean
If you have abdominal pain after a collision, you might have organ damage that could be causing you to bleed internally. Pain or a difference in how your body parts function could be your body trying to tell you that there is a problem that needs medical treatment. Some people have a high pain threshold, so they might merely feel tired or “a little off” after an injury.
Whatever is changed or worse after you experience a collision, it is best to get checked out by a medical professional as soon as possible. Complications could develop with delayed medical treatment. Also, if you need to file a personal injury claim against the at-fault party, a delay in treatment could give them a defense against your claim for financial compensation. A Los Angeles personal injury attorney could handle your personal injury claim, giving you the freedom to focus on getting better. Reach out to our office for help, we offer a free consultation with no obligation.