A car accident can cause various injuries. Some may be visible, while others may take some time to show. Injuries differ depending on the type of accident, the speed of the vehicles involved, your position inside the car, posture, and other factors.
Some people experience pain and still walk away from a car accident. You should always avoid this mistake. Seeking medical help is crucial after an accident. A Salem Oregon personal injury lawyer can use your medical records to maximize your compensation.
What to expect physically after a car accident
- Back pain.
Soft tissue injury is one of the most common types of injuries acquired in a car accident, and back pain can result from various types of soft tissue injuries, such as whiplash, spinal injuries, and herniated discs. Some people experience back pain immediately after the accident, but in some cases, the pain can take days to show.
- Traumatic brain injuries.
Traumatic brain injury is caused when you are hit on your head with force by an outside trauma, such as a fall or an accident. A penetrating injury or a hard blow to the head can cause significant damages to your brain. Traumatic brain injuries are very common in the United States.
The country sees more than three million emergency room visits for traumatic brain injuries every year.
- Headaches.
You may experience mild to moderate to severe headaches, depending on the extent of your injury. Many people do not feel the headache until a few hours or days after the collision. You may feel okay immediately after the accident but then wake up to a throbbing headache the next day. Headaches can occur because of various reasons, such as concussion, traumatic brain injury, whiplash, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress.
- Abdominal pain.
If you were wearing a seat belt when the accident happened, it could be the reason for your abdominal pain. The force from the seat belt can cause bruising as well. However, abdominal pain can be a symptom of another serious condition, such as internal hemorrhage or bleeding. If you are experiencing nausea, stomach pain, and dizziness along with abdominal pain, you must seek emergency medical help.
- Spinal cord injuries.
One of the extremely serious injuries you can acquire from a car accident is spinal cord injury. They have the potential to affect your health significantly, and the worst part is that you may not even start experiencing symptoms right away. Such injuries can result in temporary or even permanent paralysis.
- Swelling.
Swelling is your body’s natural way of reacting to trauma or injuries. Damaged tissues, pulled muscles, and whiplashes can cause swelling.
Along with swelling, you may also experience stiffness and pain in those areas.
However, using cold therapy or ice may help.
