Car accidents are generally traumatic experiences for all parties involved, with injuries ranging based on the severity of the crash.

Along with the initial shock of the experience, there are numerous hoops people have to jump through to ensure that they are covered after the crash.

Documenting the medical evaluations and other doctor’s notes after the collision will be vital in helping get a fair settlement from the at-fault driver’s car insurance company. Here are some frequently asked questions regarding car accident injury symptoms:

Should I see a doctor after a car accident, even if minor?

Even if just small dents were left in the car, a driver or passenger may do well to undergo a medical checkup. This is because some kinds of injuries may not become apparent until several days later.

It is important to let the clinic know that this checkup is due to a car collision, which will notify them to help you fill out any paperwork and medical documentation your insurance company may need. Depending on the time of day, a visit to urgent care or the emergency room visit may be the most optimal.

What are common car accident injuries?

• Head and brain injuries: These are typically caused by sudden stopping motion and impact to the head or neck, with car accidents reportedly the third leading cause of traumatic brain injuries. This can also lead to a concussion if not treated promptly.
• Back and neck injuries: Lower back injury is the most common car accident injury in these cases, with more serious injuries involving the upper spinal cord. In these cases, the nervous system could become disrupted and can cause whiplash or paralysis.
• Chest injuries: Broken ribs and collapsed lungs are common injuries after car accidents. Vehicle collisions can cause bruising in the chest, due to the force exerted when being pushed against the seat belt or steering wheel.
• Facial injuries: Lacerations to the face and broken facial bones are typically caused by the airbag or steering wheel.
• Broken Bones: Severity and likelihood of broken bones depend on the safety standards of the vehicle and the speed of the collision.

What are common latent car accident injury symptoms?

Common car accident injury symptoms people typically experience include but are not limited to:

• Headaches
• Neck or shoulder pain or stiffness
• Back pain
• Abdominal pain or swelling
• Numbness
• PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)
• Whiplash (stiffness and pain in the neck that typically manifests within 24 hours after the collision; typically from rear-end accidents)

Why did my symptoms not appear until days later?

Most vehicle collisions often spur an adrenaline rush in people, which causes any immediate pain they suffered to be temporarily numbed. This means the severity of any injuries may not be immediately obvious, with car accident injury symptoms sometimes not becoming apparent until days after the wreck.

Hidden car accident injuries that can later develop include herniated discs, traumatic brain injuries, cartilage injuries to the knees or shoulders, along with psychological trauma. For this reason, car accident victims may do well to seek medical attention as soon as possible, even if their car accident injury symptoms are not initially obvious.

This article is not legal advice or medical advice. It is presented
for informational purposes only.