People usually take specific steps after a car crash. They know they need to call local authorities to report the incident and exchange information with the other driver. Before that even occurs, they also need to check themselves and the other people involved in the crash for injuries. That way, they can request medical assistance when calling to notify authorities about the collision.
Some people assume that they and the other people involved in a crash are unharmed, only to later realize that there were serious injuries triggered by the wreck. What types of injuries are people likely to overlook in the immediate aftermath of a car crash?
Brain injuries
Traumatic brain injuries are more than just concussions. They can be life-altering conditions that cause debilitating symptoms. Despite having the potential to present various severe symptoms, brain injuries often start small or have no instantaneous symptoms whatsoever. It often takes several days for the slowly mounting pressure inside someone’s skull to cause alarming symptoms. People may therefore need medical attention to rule out the possibility of a brain injury.
Internal bleeding
Technically, brain injuries are often the result of internal bleeding. There’s another type of internal bleeding that people can also overlook. Bleeding into the torso or chest can be a serious medical issue after a crash. Internal bleeding can put pressure on the heart and lungs or cause symptoms related to blood loss. People may not notice internal bleeding until their symptoms become so severe that they require hospitalization.
Stable traumatic injuries
Broken bones and spinal cord injuries are often impossible to overlook. They are painful and can cause immediate functional challenges for the injured party. However, some injuries are incomplete or stable, meaning that the body part remains aligned and usable. People may only notice their symptoms as pain persists for days or after another incident, like a particularly busy day at work, which worsens their symptoms.
Soft tissue injuries
Many people associate whiplash with car crashes, and yet they may overlook the indicators of a potential whiplash case after a crash occurs. People often leave the scene of a crash without any immediate symptoms of whiplash, only to wake up in excruciating pain the next day.
The longer the delay in diagnosing a medical issue, the greater the likelihood that someone could face challenges when they request compensation later. Seeking out an appropriate medical evaluation after a car crash can help someone determine if they have one of these harder-to-diagnose injuries. Those who get medical care shortly after a crash can strengthen their chances of successfully pursuing compensation for those injuries later if necessary.