Maybe it all happened so fast that adrenaline took over you. And then you no longer feel the pain. But you cannot conclude so lightly in the matter of injuries after an accident of considerable severity.
First, it is important to analyze your body and check for any indication of serious injury, even if you cannot notice the details in your sensations due to the shock of emotions at that moment.
Most injuries occur in the spine, neck, and brain. And if you don't undergo a medical check-up after the accident, you could be experiencing a brain contusion without even knowing it!
So, the first thing we recommend is not delaying going to the doctor after an accident; this is also one piece of evidence you need to file a claim.
It is important to recognize that you could be seriously injured without any visible external signs. Seeking medical attention promptly ensures your well-being and provides crucial documentation for any legal proceedings.
Recognizing Invisible Injuries After a Car Accident
Serious injuries like concussions or even life-threatening internal bleeding may not be obvious at the scene of the accident but may only start to show symptoms later.
Get a medical examination right after the accident, even if you look and feel like your usual self.
If the police arrive at the scene of a car accident and find that the people involved are bleeding or unconscious, they will know that calling an ambulance is the only responsible thing to do. Some invisible injuries can be just as serious, however.
Some injuries resulting from car accidents do not show symptoms until several hours or days later. Once the symptoms begin, they can be debilitating and long-lasting or even fatal.
In many cases, getting diagnosed and beginning treatment before symptoms begin is the best way to prevent disastrous outcomes.
Even if you do not think you are seriously injured, you should visit your doctor or a hospital emergency room after a car crash.
Some examples of possible injuries that will need a professional examination to determine a diagnosis are the following:
- Concussions and Traumatic Brain Injuries: These injuries can cause headaches, problems with vision, balance, memory, and concentration, as well as mood changes such as depression; these symptoms can last a long time.
- Internal Bleeding: Doctors in the emergency room should examine you for internal bleeding, as stopping the bleeding promptly increases the chances of a full recovery.
- Spine Injury: This traumatic injury to the muscles of the neck and back can be painful, with symptoms typically starting several days after the accident.
- Mental Health Symptoms: Any car accident causing physical trauma also causes emotional trauma, which might require treatment by a psychiatrist or mental health counselor.
If you have suffered invisible injuries in a car accident, a car accident lawyer can help you recover damages for your medical bills and other financial losses.
Remember, if you need guidance or want more information about your case and the steps to take, we are here to help you. Don't hesitate to contact us; we are your trusted attorneys!
Jany Martinez Ward
Partner
Jany Martínez-Ward is a Founding and Managing Partner of The Ward Law Group, PL, a Florida law firm representing victims of car accidents. She focuses her practice on providing legal representation to Hispanic clients that have become injured in a car accident as a result of the negligence of others. In 2018, The National Trial Lawyers Association recognized Jany as one of the top attorneys in the state and among the top 40 under 40 attorneys.
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