It is not uncommon for individuals to walk away from car crashes seemingly “perfectly fine.” The human body is an amazing organism that prioritizes self-preservation above all else. During times of immense trauma, such as during a car accident, it will trigger what is known as the “fight or flight” response.
This response causes a surge of adrenaline to rush through the body, which then results in several domino effects. Among those include pain repression. As a result, you may not experience any pain until hours or even days later, thereby causing you to believe that you have delayed car accident injuries.
Types of Delayed Pain After Car Accident
As the go-to auto accident doctor in New York and New Jersey, we see a lot of patients who experience delayed injuries following a car crash. To help victims, we have put together a list of the most common types of delayed injuries and their symptoms.
Concussion
A concussion is one of the most common types of delayed car accident injuries. It occurs when the head gets jolted around on impact and causes the brain to bounce around in the skull. Concussions can have serious and lasting consequences if not treated. To get the timely treatment you need, be on the lookout for the following symptoms:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Memory problems
- Mental fogginess
- Confusion
- Loss of balance
- Mood and personality changes
- Sensitivity to light and sound
- Abnormal sleep patterns
Whiplash Doctor
Whiplash occurs when the neck and head jerk rapidly forward and backward upon impact. Symptoms of whiplash include difficulty moving the neck and head; pain and stiffness in the neck; numbness in the arms; tingling sensation in the arms; and headaches. These symptoms typically do not show up until 24 to 48 hours after a traumatic event.
Herniated or Slipped Discs
The spinal cord is made up of discs. Between each disc is a jelly-like, disc-shaped substance. The impact of a motor vehicle accident may cause the spinal cord to shift and dislocate the substance. When the material ends up pressed against the outer portion of the disc and pushes it into the spinal canal, it results in what is known as a “slipped disc.”
When the substance breaks through the outer ring, however, the fluid seeps into the spinal canal and results in what is known as a “herniated disc.” Both slipped and herniated discs may not cause symptoms until hours or days after a crash occurs. Delayed symptoms may include weakness, electric pain, tingling, and numbness in the arms or legs.
Spinal Cord Injuries
In addition to slipped or herniated discs, you may acquire a spinal cord injury in a car crash. Delayed symptoms of spinal cord injuries may include muscle spasms, stiffness, back pain, numbness, loss of mobility, and tingling.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue injuries can come in the form of strains, sprains, or contusions of the soft tissues of the body. Symptoms may include reduced range of motion, swelling, pain, tenderness, and muscle spasms.
Injury Doctor in New York
Too many people ignore the signs and symptoms of delayed car accident injuries until it is too late. If you were in a car crash and develop any pain or discomfort in the days, weeks or months afterward, contact an experienced New York or New Jersey auto accident doctor right away. The right doctor can assess you for injuries, prescribe appropriate treatment and help you do what is necessary to recover compensation via a legal claim.