When law enforcement responds to the scene of a traffic accident and discovers that anyone involved is unconscious or bleeding, they know that they need to call an ambulance for immediate medical assistance. Although not all injuries are blatantly obvious, this does not make them less severe. Many car accident injuries, such as concussions, may not display symptoms until hours or even days after the fact. Unfortunately, once the signs of these invisible injuries present themselves, the injury could have already worsened to a permanent, debilitating, or even deadly degree.
The best way to prevent this scenario is to seek immediate medical attention. Even if you think you are unharmed, you should always go to the nearest emergency room or make an appointment with your family doctor after a Virginia Beach car accident. Following that, reach out to a Virginia Beach car accident attorney from Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp as soon as possible.
In the meantime, invisible car accident injuries of which you should be aware include:
Whiplash
Whiplash is undoubtedly the most common car accident-related injury. Whiplash occurs when your head is snapped forward and backward in rapid succession, typically when a vehicle collides with something.
If you fail to seek prompt and proper medical treatment for a whiplash injury, the effects can potentially be felt for months or possibly even years. Working with a doctor allows whiplash victims to regain their full range of motion, correctly manage their pain, and circumvent any future complications.
Concussion
Another dangerous but extremely common injury experienced by car accident victims is a concussion. Symptoms of a concussion are not always immediately apparent, but postponed medical treatment will result in an extended recovery time. Concussions are a type of traumatic brain injury, often caused by being hit in the head. Even without losing consciousness, a concussion may still be present. Potentially delayed concussion symptoms include:
- Confusion
- Headaches
- Nausea
- No memory of the event
- Dizziness
- Tinnitus
- Fatigue
Spine and Back Injuries
Even a severe injury to your spine might not be noticeable apparent right away. If you were involved in a serious collision or a minor collision where you sustained head or neck injuries, you need to be medically examined for spinal cord damage as well.
Bleeding and inflammation in or near your spine can cause paralysis or numbness that can have an adverse impact on your life. Following a Virginia Beach car accident, it is crucial to seek immediate medical treatment if there is even the slightest chance you experienced an injury to your spinal cord.
Far less severe, but still worrying, is a gradually evolving back injury. Similar to how your neck muscles can be sprained or strained by the impact of a car accident, your back muscles can be similarly injured. Your back pain might not fully develop until several days after the accident.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Knees, ankles, and feet are probably not the first places you think of when someone mentions car accident injuries, but they are actually quite common. Just like the other injuries previously discussed, an injury to the tissues in these parts of your body might not hurt immediately after an accident. Shoulder, elbow, and wrist injuries also occur with some frequency. If pain develops in the days following a car crash, you should seek immediate medical attention as the pain is likely associated with accident-related injuries.
Internal Injuries
In the same way that serious spinal cord damage can slowly emerge, internal injuries can present this way as well. In the absence of medical care, even life-threatening internal bleeding can go undetected for several days after a car accident.
All We Do Is Injury Law
Our Virginia Beach car accident attorneys have over 70 combined years of experience helping injured car accident victims collect solid evidence and construct strong cases for considerable financial recoveries. In one recent case, we achieved a $1 million motorcycle settlement for a client who sustained permanent disabilities when a negligent motorist forced her friend’s Harley Davidson off a four-lane highway.
If another person’s willful misconduct or negligence resulted in your injuries, you should consult a Virginia Beach car accident lawyer from Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp and determine what avenues of legal recourse are available to you. The statute of limitations on Virginia personal injury claims, including motorcycle accident claims, is only two years from the day of the incident, so don’t wait. You can schedule a free case review by calling us at (833) 997-1774 or by filling out the contact form on our website. Our offices are located in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Hampton, and Portsmouth.