What Are Common Delayed Injuries After an Illinois Car Accident?

 Posted on October 17, 2019 in Personal Injury

Millions of car accidents occur each year in the United States, resulting in millions of people being injured and thousands of people being killed. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were more than 6.4 million police-reported traffic collisions in 2017. Of those crashes, more than 37,000 people died, and of the people who survived those traffic accidents, more than 2.7 million people suffered from injuries. There are a variety of injuries that could occur from a car crash, many of them being readily apparent, like bruising or lacerations. In some cases, injuries sustained from a car accident are not so apparent, and symptoms can appear days, weeks, or even months after the incident.

Pay Attention to Symptoms

It can sometimes be difficult to tell if certain symptoms are a result of a car accident, which is why anyone involved in a crash should keep a close eye on their symptoms and overall health in the days and weeks following the incident. Here are a few common delayed symptoms that can appear after the fact:

• Neck or shoulder pain and/or stiffness: One of the most common injuries from car accidents is whiplash. Whiplash can be immediately apparent, or it can take a few days to manifest. The most common symptom of whiplash is pain or stiffness in the neck or shoulders. In some cases, whiplash can cause long-lasting or chronic symptoms.

• Chronic headaches: These can be a sign of multiple conditions. Headaches can be an indicator of a blood clot, a neck injury such as whiplash, or even a traumatic brain injury (TBI) such as a concussion. If you have chronic headaches, you should seek medical attention to rule out other causes.

• Back pain: Also rather common, back pain that appears after a car accident can indicate an injury to your spine or the surrounding tissues. Injury to the nerves, muscles, ligaments, or even to the spine itself can all manifest with back pain.

• Abdominal pain, swelling, or bruising: This can be a rather serious symptom. If you experience abdominal pain, swelling, or bruising, this could be a sign of internal bleeding, which can be dangerous. If you experience this, you need to seek immediate medical treatment.

• Psychological changes: Any marked changes in personality, behavior, or other physical functions can be a sign that you suffered a TBI. Any brain injury is a serious matter and should be treated as soon as possible.

Contact a Bloomingdale Personal Injury Attorney

Being in a car accident is a frightening experience for anyone, even if no one appears to be hurt after the crash. If you have been involved in a vehicle collision, and you are noticing delayed symptoms, you should contact a DuPage County car accident lawyer right away for assistance. At the Mevorah & Giglio Law Offices, we understand how devastating an auto accident can be, especially if you have sustained injuries that affect all areas of your life. Call our office today at 630-932-9100 to schedule a free consultation.