Some people are able to walk away from a car accident and consider themselves lucky. However, sometimes pain doesn’t appear until hours or even days after an accident. It’s important not to ignore delayed pain as it could be a sign of something serious. Being involved in an accident is a stressful event. Adrenaline can be produced and can block out your pain receptors, causing you to not feel pain temporarily. In addition, some injuries don’t present with pain right away. Here are some delayed pain symptoms to look out for:
Headache
A headache that appears hours or days after can be a sign of serious injury. It may signal a neck/back injury, a concussion, or a hematoma on the brain.
Numbness
If you experience numbness in your extremities, it could be a sign of a neck or spine injury. Don’t ignore it, as these injuries need treatment.
Back Pain
Back pain could be a sign of spine injury or injury to your ligaments, muscles, or nerves. You may also notice muscle spasms or swelling if you’ve sustained a back injury. Back pain is one of the most common delayed symptoms after a car accident.
Abdominal Pain
Abdominal pain could be a sign of a seatbelt injury, but it could also indicate something even more serious. You may be experiencing internal bleeding, in which case you should seek emergency medical treatment.
Changes in Thinking or Personality
Confusion, changes in thinking, changes in personality, or trouble sleeping could all be signs of a concussion or another type of traumatic brain injury. Most traumatic brain injuries lead to unconsciousness. However, this is not always the case, and it is not uncommon to have brain damage that appears later.
Difficulty With Movement and Coordination
This can also be a sign of concussion or another type of traumatic brain injury.
Flashbacks or Nightmares About the Accident
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can arise after any type of traumatic event, including a car accident. The symptoms shouldn’t be ignored because they could detrimentally affect your daily life.
Contact an Experienced Car Accident Attorney
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, you should consult with an experienced attorney. At Bonina & Bonina, P.C., we have been helping car accident victims for over 50 years. Contact us online or call us at 1-888-MEDLAW1 to schedule your free consultation. Home and hospital visits are available. Se habla español.