After being involved in a car accident, some injuries may not be apparent for days, weeks, or even months. These types of injuries are referred to as “delayed onset injuries” and they are considered to be very dangerous. This is because they often go undetected for long periods of time, allowing them to become more serious and have greater complications. The impact of delayed onset injuries can be severe, and in some cases even fatal.
It is important to be aware of the possible symptoms of delayed injuries if you’ve been involved in a car accident so that you know what to look out for. Some of the most common delayed onset injuries and their symptoms include:
Changes to your baseline behavioral or emotional tendencies may indicate serious injury. Look out for changes such as:
These types of behavioral and emotional changes may signify you have a brain injury or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Back pain, dull aches, stiffness, sharp or stabbing pains, or mobility issues, and may signify back injuries including:
Headaches after a car accident can be indicative of a traumatic brain injury (TBI). TBIs are a very common injury in car accidents. If you are experiencing headaches after a car accident, do not wait, see your doctor immediately.
Experiencing tingling and numbness or a complete loss of sensation in your hands or feet may indicate many different types of injuries, including:
It is extremely important to note that experiencing tingling or numbness may be an initial symptom of paralysis. If you experience these sensations immediately go to the ER or call 911 for medical attention. Spinal cord injuries are also among the most common personal injuries. Contact a personal injury lawyer in San Antonio for a free consultation.
Car accidents can inflict blunt trauma to your abdomen, which may have life-threatening consequences that may not be immediately apparent. If you experience abdominal pain, swelling, bruising, dizziness, or fainting, it can indicate you have internal bleeding. It is important to receive medical attention as soon as possible once you have identified these symptoms.
If you or a loved one begin to exhibit the symptoms of a delayed onset injury after a car accident it is important to act quickly before they become worse. The most important steps to take after discovering these symptoms are:
Seeking medical attention – seeking medical attention will allow you to determine if you have a serious injury and if so, give you the resources you need to treat it quickly. Additionally, receiving medical care will create documentation that you can use for your claim to help you meet the burden of proof.
Contacting an attorney – a San Antonio car accident attorney will be able to help you determine if you have a claim and help you take the necessary steps to file. Additionally, attorneys will know the deadlines you need to meet and will work swiftly to ensure you don’t miss them so that you can pursue compensation.
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