You may not experience pain after a car crash, but that doesn’t mean you haven’t been injured. Even if you’re not feeling pain or discomfort, you should see a doctor to make sure that you don’t have any hidden injuries following the crash. Untreated injuries could lead to more serious problems down the road and cost more than if they were treated right away.
You may not experience pain after a car crash, but that doesn’t mean you haven’t been injured. Even if you’re not feeling pain or discomfort, you should see a doctor to make sure that you don’t have any hidden injuries following the crash. Untreated injuries could lead to more serious problems down the road and cost more than if they were treated right away.
In this article, the experienced legal professionals at Andy Citrin Attorneys outline common hidden injuries accident victims experience after a car accident.
Hidden Car Accident Injuries You Might Experience After a Crash
Even after a minor collision, getting medical treatment could be good for your health in the long run. Some crash-related injuries don’t always show symptoms right away and could lead to more severe problems later on. X-rays and physical examinations will help the doctor assess any possible injuries and determine treatment options.
You might not immediately be in a lot of pain, but you could still have one or more of these injuries:
Whiplash Injuries
Whiplash is a common injury in rear-end crashes. Whiplash happens when your car gets hit from behind, causing your head and neck to quickly snap backward then forward, damaging the ligaments, muscles, and other soft tissues in your neck. The most common effects of whiplash are headaches and neck pain. The effects of whiplash don’t always happen right away, so you’ll want to see a doctor if you experience any physical discomfort in the days after the accident.
Herniated Disc
If you experience a great amount of force to your spine during the crash, you may have a herniated disc. A herniated disc is the result of a tear in the soft tissue between the bones in the spine. It can irritate nearby nerves causing shooting pain or numbness in your arms or legs.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Many people don’t realize that concussions are a common form of a TBI. Concussions can be quite serious, and their symptoms don’t always start immediately. Being disoriented, losing consciousness, or experiencing headaches, nausea, or blurry vision are all signs of a concussion. Seek medical attention as soon as possible if you have any of these symptoms.
Shoulder Injury From Your Seatbelt
Even though they’re designed to protect you, sometimes seat belts can cause injury to your chest or shoulder in a car accident. The seat belt is designed to tighten on impact, but that tightening creates pressure that can injure or tear muscles and soft tissue in your shoulder. Shoulder injuries can also cause back pain. Because the shoulder’s anatomy is complex, you should see a doctor right away if you’re experiencing any pain or discomfort.
Emotional or Psychological Injury
A car accident is a traumatic experience that can have psychological repercussions that might not surface immediately. If you experience anxiety or panic at the thought of driving or being inside a vehicle, or you keep re-living the crash over and over (a common symptom of post-traumatic stress disorder), you may want to seek mental health treatment.
If You Don’t See a Doctor Right Away, Don’t Panic
Getting medical help is crucial for developing your case. If you wait to get medical help but develop problems later, the insurance company may say that you don’t deserve financial compensation because if your injuries were truly serious, you would have gone to the doctor right away. At Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys, we don’t let insurance adjustors get away with excuses like that. If your injuries were slow to appear, you should still go to the doctor as soon as you can. You have more time to see a doctor than you might think.
If you’re filing a personal injury claim in Mississippi, the statute of limitations is three years. In Alabama, you have two years to file a personal injury claim after a car accident.
Be sure to file your claim before these deadlines. If you miss the deadline, it’s likely your case will be dismissed in court. If you have any questions about the statute of limitations in your state, your injuries, or filing a claim on time, don’t hesitate to contact a car crash attorney for help.
RELATED: Don’t Ignore Shoulder Pain After a Car Accident
What an Experienced Attorney Can Do for You
After you’ve been in an accident, you need someone who not only understands your unique situation but who can get you the results you need. When you sit down with an experienced injury attorney, they’ll walk you through the process and help you understand the steps you need to take to complete your claim.
Negotiate Medical Bills
Keep all the medical bills you receive after your auto accident as organized as you can. Your auto accident lawyers in Mobile will need them to calculate the value of your injuries and negotiate with healthcare providers. If you’re having trouble staying organized, don’t hesitate to reach out to us for help!
Preserve Evidence
It’s important to preserve as much evidence as possible to support your case. Be sure to take photos of your injuries, the damage done to your vehicle, and keep a pain journal of your experience symptoms. Your lawyer will be able to help you identify other forms of evidence.
Identify Who Caused the Crash
To pursue your case, you’ll have to prove the other driver was responsible for your injuries and suffering. Being distracted or intoxicated while driving, violating traffic laws, or driving without sleep are all negligent acts that cause auto accidents.
The Andy Citrin Team Is Here to Support You After Your Accident
For over 30 years, the dedicated team at Andy Citrin Attorneys has been fighting tirelessly for accident victims in Alabama and Mississippi. Our law firm knows what it takes to get the job done. We’ve helped thousands of clients get the compensation they deserve. When you work with us, you can rest assured that we’ll do everything in our power to advocate for you or your loved one.
To schedule a free consultation with an experienced attorney, call our office at 251-888-8888 or complete this brief form. We’re ready to meet with you and offer the legal advice you need.
The content provided here is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice on any subject.
Andy is the owner and CEO of Citrin Law Firm, P.C. He founded the firm in 1995 with the goal of helping injured people put their lives back together. His passion for protecting injured people has only grown since he opened the doors of Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys, and he has a history of winning numerous multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements for his clients.