Car accidents are incredibly common; so much so that most people are likely to be in at least one minor or major car accident within their lifetime. In the city of Hamilton, there are (on average), 9,500 collisions every single year. Of these, over 18% have led to an injury or fatality.
As strange as it sounds, sometimes you do not know that a collision has injured you right away. Most people who are involved in a car accident experience a rush of shock or adrenaline, which can prevent you from feeling the full extent of your injuries.
Even if paramedics get onto the scene quickly and look you over, there are many potential internal issues that can easily be missed. You may start to notice these injuries a number of hours or even days later. These are known as delayed injuries. Here are the delayed injuries you should be aware of.
1. Neck/Shoulder Pain
If you start to feel aches or pains in your neck and/or shoulders following a car accident, you may have soft tissue damage. Bracing yourself for an oncoming crash or being jolted to a sudden stop when moving at such a high velocity, can result in lasting stiffness in the muscles and tendons of the neck and shoulders, potentially causing pain and limiting movement.
2. Abdominal Pain
This is something you should get checked out immediately as it may mean internal bleeding or damage to the internal organs. If this is the case, every moment left unattended could lead to long-term damage and even death.
3. Headaches
Whiplash is one of the most common injuries suffered after a car accident. However, it is unfortunate that whiplash is difficult to spot, especially with the adrenaline pumping through your system. Experiencing bad headaches after a collision could be the result of whiplash, leaving strain on the muscles and nerves of your neck.
While whiplash may not sound too urgent, you should get to a doctor as soon as possible if you are suffering headaches after an accident – they could be due to a traumatic brain injury caused by the crash.
4. Back Pain
The force of the impact may not register at first, though in the days following a crash, many people experience lower back pains. These are caused by the stretching or tearing of ligaments in your lower back which, if left untreated, can cause spasms, general tightness and more chronic conditions.
5. Numbness And/Or Tingling
Numbness and/or tingling sensations in the body are some of the least reported injuries directly following a car accident. This is less because they are uncommon injuries, and more so because people are more likely to ignore the numbness/tingling and try to wait it out.
In reality, these sensations are most often caused by pinched or damaged nerves which can be the result of deep internal lacerations or even spinal damage, so it is important to get these checked right away.
If You Experience Delayed Injuries, Seek Help
Regardless of your symptoms, it is important to seek help right away. Even if you are asymptomatic, see your doctor as early as possible for a full-body check-up. You may be able to catch any serious ailments early to prevent lasting injury.
Your second step once an injury presents itself or, your doctor confirms that you have one, is to call an injury lawyer. By contacting a legal representative as soon as possible, you increase the likelihood that you will be able to procure evidence and claim compensation from the party or parties responsible.
Contact An Experienced Car Accident Lawyer in Hamilton Today!
If you have been in a car accident and are in the Hamilton area, Virk Lawyers are an experienced personal injury law firm that can help you get the maximum compensation for your injuries. We have lawyers who specialize in car accidents and know the compensation you are entitled to.