What Are Common Injury Symptoms Observed After A Car Accident?

Of the almost 93,000 reported car accidents in Colorado throughout 2021, over 25,000 resulted in some form of injury or death. To make matters worse, traffic fatalities in the first quarter of 2022 were up almost 10% over the same quarter in 2021. This statistic means that traffic-related injuries were almost certainly up as well. 

As Colorado roads become more dangerous, it is essential to know the common injury symptoms observed after a car accident. If you understand what to expect physically after a car accident, it will be easier to check for signs that indicate you should see a doctor. Further, it is important to realize that even minor accidents can lead to serious injuries. You might experience these warning signs immediately after a car accident. They may also appear long after the accident happens. Either way, you should consult a doctor as soon as you notice.   

Headaches

Headaches are one of the most common injury symptoms experienced after a car accident. They can be indicators of an underlying concussion or other brain injuries. For this reason, you must consult a doctor if you experience any headaches after a physically traumatic event. Further, you don’t have to hit your head to develop a concussion. Headaches can be a delayed symptom after a car accident. It is important to consult a doctor even if the headaches develop weeks or months after the accident. 

Memory Loss

Memory loss is one injury symptom observed after a car accident that requires immediate attention from a doctor. An inability to remember events leading up to the accident, forgetting what happened after the accident, forgetting people’s names, and having trouble remembering the details of a conversation are all signs of memory loss. If you experience memory loss, you may have suffered a severe traumatic brain injury. Consult a doctor immediately. 

Personality Change

A change in personality, like memory loss, is likely a symptom of a severe traumatic brain injury. Keep a close eye on your friends and family after an accident. It is common for people experiencing a personality change not to notice their symptoms. Personality changes range from subtle changes in mood to extreme changes in behavior. Victims of a traumatic brain injury often begin to engage in riskier behavior than they would have beforehand. Any of these symptoms require immediate attention from a physician. 

Post Traumatic Stress

Even a minor accident can be a traumatic experience. Post-traumatic stress is common after a car accident, especially in children. Symptoms include trouble sleeping, nightmares, intrusive memories of the accident, increased anxiety, difficulty concentrating, and hypervigilance. Post-traumatic stress can be a serious problem and warrants a call to your doctor.

Difficulty Sleeping

Difficulty sleeping is a common symptom of traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress. A small change in sleep patterns can lead to big problems and be a sign of an underlying problem. Avoid the temptation to brush off sleeping issues as a minor problem. Consult your doctor if you notice any involuntary changes in your sleeping patterns. 

Fatigue

Fatigue is another symptom that could indicate an underlying traumatic brain injury. It could also be due to post-traumatic stress or even a muscle/tissue injury. It is essential to pay close attention to how you feel after an accident. Subtle changes in how energetic you feel throughout the day can be hard to spot.

Neck Pain

Another exceedingly common injury symptom observed after a car accident is neck pain. It can indicate broken bones, a pinched nerve, or several other serious injuries. Severe neck pain often fails to go away without treatment. Further, immediate care significantly promotes quick and effective recovery from a neck injury.   

Back Pain

Back pain, notably lower back pain, can be one of the most troublesome injuries experienced after a car accident. Lower back pain can indicate muscle, bone, or nerve damage. It can also be the result of a severe spinal cord injury. Many accident victims feel fine immediately following a car crash, only to develop intense back pain weeks or even months later. 

Joint Pain

Pain in one or more joints frequently happens after an accident. Pain in every joint often indicates an inflammatory reaction throughout your body. A more acute injury can present pain in one or more joints. Post-traumatic arthritis is also expected and usually resolves itself within a few months. 

Chest Pain

Chest pain can indicate a severe underlying problem when experienced after a car crash. Airbags and seatbelts, though effective at preventing death and other far more severe injuries, can cause trauma to the chest and internal organs. Chest pain should always be treated seriously because it could result from a heart injury, punctured lung, or internal bleeding.

Abdominal Pain

Like chest pain, abdominal pain demands immediate medical attention. Abdominal pain is often a symptom of internal bleeding, which can be a life-threatening injury. It could also indicate severe bruising of abdominal tissue or internal organs.  

Numbness

Numbness can seem like a minor issue but could be the symptom of a significant underlying problem with your nervous system. A loss of feeling or tingling in your extremities often originates from an injury to your spinal column or neck. Nerve damage gets worse over time without treatment. It is essential to seek medical care immediately if you experience any numbness after an accident.

We Can Help

If you experience any warning signs after a car accident, it is crucial to contact a doctor immediately. Further, if you have been in an accident and are experiencing any of the ailments above, you may deserve compensation. Sloat, Nicholson & Hoover, P.C. can help. Our attorneys have over 100 years of experience advocating for clients who have suffered injuries in car accidents. Over the last 30 years, Sloat, Nicholson & Hoover has earned our clients over 100 million dollars in compensation. Contact us today, and we will focus on your case so you can focus on your recovery.