Signs Of An Injury After A Car Accident
Right after a car accident, the victim will likely become concerned about what injuries they’ve sustained, and rightly so, as your health is a priority. Though not all injuries appear immediately, there are signs you should look out for when considering injuries after a car accident, and it’s essential to know them. The legal part of it can be challenging to navigate as well; if you’re looking for a personal injury lawyer in Suffolk County, Tannenbaum, Bellantone, & Silver, P.C. are here for you.
Immediate Physical Injuries to Look For
Some injuries are easy to spot after a car accident, even if you aren’t a doctor since they are likely the first injuries you feel. Some injuries that you can immediately look for after a car accident include:
- Cuts & Scrapes: These injuries can be spotted easily by looking around your body, particularly on any exposed parts of your body. Some deep cuts and scrapes require immediate treatment, such as pressure over a cut and bandages over these injuries.
- Facial Injuries: Some facial injuries are easy to spot, such as lacerations, burns, and broken bones. These injuries often occur as the result of someone hitting a car door, an airbag, or a loose object.
- Burns: Burns can result from many factors, including loose oil that caught on fire or from the car itself catching on fire. These injuries most often occur on exposed parts of the body but can happen anywhere and range from 1st-degree burns to 4th-degree burns.
If you find any immediate injuries after a car accident, take pictures so that you have documented evidence of them for your doctor, insurance company, and personal injury lawyer.
Delayed Physical Symptoms
While most people find the injuries above, there are some injuries with physical symptoms that show up hours or days after the car accident occurred. These injuries include concussions, whiplash, internal organ damage, and soft tissue injuries. All of these have symptoms you should watch out for after a car accident.
A concussion results from a traumatic brain injury after the head moves back-and-forth rapidly or when the head slams against an object, such as the car’s dashboard. This blow forces the brain to collide with the skull’s interior. Possible symptoms include:
- Headaches/Migraines
- Confusion
- Memory problems
- Mood swings
- Dizziness/Balance problems
- Nausea
- Feeling sluggish
- Sensitivity to light or noise
If you notice signs of a concussion, you should see a doctor immediately, as an untreated brain injury can create life-long effects on the person experiencing it.
Whiplash is a type of neck strain that results from the neck moving back-and-forth quickly, like cracking a whip. It most often occurs from rear-end accidents but can occur in other car accidents as well. Possible symptoms include:
- Neck pain/strain
- Loss of neck motion
- Headaches at the base of the skull
- Tenderness/pain in neck and shoulders
- Numbness in arms
Seeing a doctor for whiplash is also essential, as people can suffer from chronic neck pain due to this injury.
Internal organ damage can result in delayed abdominal pain, which indicates damage to your organs or ribs. These injuries can be life-threatening if left untreated. Possible symptoms include:
- Purple bruising
- Dizziness
- Stomach/abdominal pain
- Fever
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Swollen abdomen
Soft tissue injuries occur to the muscles, ligaments, and tendons in one’s body. Whiplash is a type of soft tissue injury, as well as the following:
- Strains
- Sprains
- Bruises
These injuries often result in pain, swelling, stiffness, and a loss of motion in the area. Seeing a doctor for these injuries can prevent life-long complications such as chronic pain and muscle weakness.
Personal Injury Lawyer in Suffolk County
Going through a car accident and sustaining any of these injuries will result in medical bills and higher insurance claims. We understand that navigating your situation can be difficult. A personal injury lawyer can help you get compensation for your costs and help you navigate your legal case, and Tannenbaum, Bellantone, & Silver, P.C. is a personal injury lawyer in Suffolk County that you can trust! Please visit our website to learn more about us and make an appointment with us today!