According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 5 million traffic collisions happen in the United States every year, with more than 1.5 million of these crashes resulting in injury to those involved. While many of these injuries are obvious, others such as whiplash or internal bleeding can have delayed symptoms which may not surface for a certain period of time following a collision. Due to the adrenaline rush that a person can experience immediately following impact, it is not uncommon for a person to feel completely fine after a crash and remain unaware of the damage their body has sustained. For this reason, if you have been involved in a car accident or any other type of traffic collision, it is imperative you seek a full medical evaluation as soon as possible.
Common delayed symptoms which can surface in the days and weeks following a collision include:
- Headaches: Headaches that develop a few days after a car accident may be a sign of traumatic brain injury (TBI), such as blood clots, hemorrhaging, bruising, or a severe concussion.
- Neck or shoulder pain: Whiplash is one of the most common injuries with delayed symptoms after an auto accident, characterized by pain or stiffness in the upper shoulders and neck, as well as numbness in the arms or legs. In some cases, whiplash can occur in collisions involving vehicles moving as slow as 15 miles per hour.
- Back pain: Back pain of any kind after a crash can be a sign of spinal cord damage. Depending on the circumstances, pain may be signaling damage to muscles, vertebrae, or nerve endings.
- Abdominal swelling: Pain or swelling in the abdominal region is oftentimes characteristic of internal bleeding, a potentially life-threatening condition. Internal bleeding can also cause symptoms such as light headedness, deep bruising, or fainting.
- Personality changes: TBIs such as concussions can sometimes cause individuals to experience unexplained irritability or changes in behavior. In addition to mood swings, TBIs can also cause problems with vision, hearing, memory, concentration.
If you have experienced any of the above symptoms following a traffic collision, seek medical help immediately and contact the Wichita personal injury attorneys at Hutton & Hutton Law Firm, LLC at your earliest convenience. Having recovered more than $200 million on behalf of injured clients throughout our firm’s lengthy existence, we can provide the aggressive representation you need to pursue full compensation for your losses. To find out more about what our 75+ years of combined legal experience can do for you, call us today at (316) 688-1166 to schedule your free case review.