Symptoms After a Car Accident

After a car accident, even a minor fender-bender, it is important that you are hyper-vigilant and on the lookout for any signs of injury. Some injuries are readily apparent while others may be hidden at first (latent). If you have any signs of injury after a car accident, see a doctor immediately. It is vital to identify any latent injuries as soon as possible in order to mitigate their effects, avoid making them worse, and make sure that you can prove their connection to the accident. Read on for some symptoms to look out for following a California traffic crash, and contact a dedicated Glendale car accident lawyer if you or a loved one has been the victim of a traffic accident.

Headaches

Headaches are common following car accidents. The headaches can begin immediately, the next morning, or even days or weeks later. Headaches can be a sign of trauma, brain injury, vision issues, or any number of other issues tied to car accidents.

Concussion

Concussions are incredibly serious and can have long-lasting effects, especially if you have several concussions in a short period of time. You can identify a concussion if you experience blurred or double vision, nausea, sensitivity to light or noise, tinnitus, or changes in your mood, sleep habits, or appetite.

Whiplash

Whiplash is incredibly common in car accidents and can indicate injury to ligaments, joints, nerves, and discs. Medical officials estimate that one in ten of all victims of rear-end collisions will develop some form of whiplash, and 10 to 15% of people who suffer soft-tissue cervical damage will ultimately never fully recover. Even low-speed collisions, as little as five to eight miles-per-hour, can cause whiplash. Symptoms of whiplash include dizziness, neck pain and stiffness, numbness, weakness, or loss of range of motion in the neck, tenderness in the shoulder, upper back, or arms, and can lead to functional limitations that can persist for months or even years after an accident.

Abdominal pain

If you experience abdominal pain after an accident, it may be a sign of internal bleeding. Seek medical attention immediately. Large areas of deep purple bruising, dizziness, and fainting are all symptoms of internal bleeding. This condition can be life-threatening and must be treated as quickly as possible.

Pain in your neck, shoulders, or back

You may experience neck, shoulder, arm, or back pain following an accident, and the pain may take several days to kick in. As mentioned, this pain can be a sign of whiplash or other more severe injuries. If you begin to experience pain in these areas following a wreck, see a doctor for a diagnosis to avoid further injury.

PTSD

If you were in a serious accident, you may, reasonably, have a strong emotional reaction. The emotional reaction may come later after your adrenaline has worn off. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental disorder that occurs after a traumatic event. While we tend to think of soldiers, police officers, or victims of violent crimes when we think of PTSD, surviving a harrowing crash can also have lasting mental effects. It can begin very subtly and grow over time. If you start to experience mood changes, depression, anxiety, or other symptoms of PTSD, see a mental health professional. Emotional injury can be just as harmful as physical injury and if left untreated can severely limit your ability to enjoy your life.

Get Help after a Serious Crash from Our Glendale Personal Injury Lawyers

If you or a loved one has been injured by a negligent driver in California, get help seeking damages from a seasoned professional by contacting the dedicated and effective Glendale personal injury attorneys McReynolds Vardanyan LLP for a free consultation at 818-855-2115.