Many car accidents cause visible injuries that are obvious to everyone involved. However, there are other accidents where victims may feel shaken up, however they may not notice any obvious signs of an injury. When this happens, victims may avoid seeking medical treatment or contacting a lawyer because they do not think there is a case. However, injuries could show up later, and they may be much more severe than victims think.

Delayed Injuries

Accident victims may not notice an injury because they experienced a burst of adrenaline during and after the crash that helped to mask pain and other symptoms. It may take several days or weeks before they experience symptoms. Possible delayed injuries include:

  • Whiplash
  • Soft-tissue injuries
  • Nerve damage
  • Back injuries
  • Neck injuries
  • Head trauma
  • Brain injury
  • Spinal damage
  • Internal bleeding

If these injuries are not treated, they can cause serious harm or even be life-threatening.

Symptoms to Watch For

There are a variety of symptoms that may indicate an accident injury. If you start to experience any of the following symptoms in the days or weeks following the accident, be sure that you seek immediate medical attention:

  • Headaches – Sometimes headaches may indicate that you have suffered an accident-related injury such as a concussion, whiplash, neck injury or head injury. Even if your head did not hit another object during the accident, you still may have been injured.
  • Neck and shoulder pain – This could be a sign of whiplash. It could also indicate other injuries, such as spinal injuries or herniated disks. Doctors may request imaging tests to diagnose your injuries.
  • Back pain – Lower back pain may be a symptom of whiplash or other injuries, such as herniated disks or sprains.
  • Numbness, tingling or weakness in the limbs – Numbness, tingling or weakness in the arms or legs can be a sign of a herniated disk or other spinal cord injuries.
  • Abdominal pain – Abdominal pain or swelling is a possible symptom of internal bleeding. Other signs of this injury include fainting, lightheadedness, deep bruising, headaches and dizziness.
  • Emotional symptoms – Sometimes injuries in a car accident are not physical in nature. Instead, there may be an emotional response, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Look out for emotional symptoms, such as feelings of concern, stress, anxiety, depression, changes in your mood or difficulty controlling your emotions.

Watch for these symptoms for yourself as well as any passengers or children who were involved in the accident.

Protecting Your Claim

Even if you do not believe that you were injured, it is important that you take steps to protect your claim. Report the accident so that a law enforcement officer can be sent out to investigate and prepare an accident report.

Take pictures at the scene of the accident and collect information from the other driver and any witnesses. Be sure you write down the other driver’s license number, auto insurance information and contact information. Seek immediate medical attention to stabilize and diagnose any injuries. Delays in treatment could cause the insurance company to deny your claim or reduce compensation offers.

Contact Goldberg Finnegan to Discuss Your Accident

The Silver Spring car accident lawyers at Goldberg Finnegan are prepared to pursue maximum compensation, if you have a valid claim. We handle all communication with the insurance company and use our resources and legal knowledge to build a robust case.