Immediately after a car accident, you should typically be able to assess whether you have suffered an injury. If you are lucky, you will only have minor cuts and scrapes, and a trip to the hospital might not be necessary. While you may be able to walk away from the accident seemingly unharmed, there is a possibility that you did sustain an injury – it just may not be obvious yet. It is possible for you to feel soreness and pain the day after your accident and experience the symptoms of your injury within days or weeks.
When this happens, you may be suffering from delayed injuries.
Common symptoms of a delayed injury
Following a car accident, your body often produces adrenaline, temporarily hiding body aches and pains. After a while – which can be anywhere from a few hours to a few days – you may experience some aches and pains, including headaches, pain in the shoulder or neck, back pain, numbness in your limbs, abdominal pain, or even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These symptoms may indicate that you have an injury that requires immediate treatment.
You must seek treatment before your symptoms get worse. A persistent headache may indicate a concussion or brain injury. Your back pain can be a sign of spinal damage and may progress, making movement difficult. If you experience flashbacks of the accident and an irrational fear of getting back on the road, you may be suffering from PTSD.
Seeking treatment for delayed injuries
Ideally, you should go to the hospital immediately after an accident to prevent your injury from worsening and get the necessary treatment. If you cannot, it is best to seek treatment the moment you experience the symptoms of an injury. You may also want medical documentation for your injury, as this may be helpful if you file an injury claim.
Delayed injuries are not uncommon. It is wise to seek medical care if you believe you were fine immediately following the accident and later experience symptoms of an injury.