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Injuries sustained in an automobile accident can cover a wide variety of injuries, ranging from bruising to broken bones and even death. While the majority of injuries are observable almost immediately after the accident, there are injuries that might take some time to reveal themselves. While the biggest problem with these types of injuries is that it’s hard to prove that the automobile was the cause of the injury, there are ways to recover from such injuries.
Delayed Injuries
While an automobile accident can cause serious damage to an individual, there are times when victims of automobile accidents sustain only minor injuries, such as bruising. While most people might think that seemingly minor injuries are nothing to be worried about, automobile accidents, even at low speeds, can generate a lot of force. Unfortunately, there are several types of injuries that might not be immediately apparent. Not only might you be disoriented at the scene of an accident, but also the adrenaline and endorphins released by your body can lead to an increase in energy and possible a lack of pain. Two primary types of injuries that are not immediately noticed include soft tissue injuries and concussions.
Soft Tissue Injuries
While most people commonly think of broken bones when they think of automobile accidents, bodily injury can involve so much more. Soft tissue injuries typically involve injury to muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Perhaps the most common form of soft tissue injury is whiplash, which can last anywhere from a day to a week.
While soft tissue injuries typically result in pain, swelling, and reduced mobility, these symptoms can take some time to show up. In addition, soft tissue injuries may be even harder to diagnose due to the fact that they are not visible via x-ray examination.
Concussions
Another form of injury that can cause delayed symptoms is a concussion. While a concussion can be caused by damage caused to the head, it can also occur as a result of the violent shaking of the head and upper body. Even though a concussion may cause unconsciousness, most concussions do not, which may make it difficult for individuals to determine whether they are injured or not. Concussions can come with several symptoms, such as confusion or dizziness, but some symptoms that may not appear immediately after the injury may include:
- Sleep disturbances;
- Sensitivity to light and noise;
- Personality changes, such as irritability;
- Depression; and
- Concentration and memory issues.
What to Do
One of the most important things you can do if you are involved in an automobile accident is to see a doctor, or seek medical attention as soon as possible. Not only would the evidence from the physician’s review of your condition be useful to help your case, but seeing a physician earlier can help you detect any underlying issues before they become serious problems.
In addition, it is important to avoid any settlement agreements until you obtain a full picture of your injuries, especially since you may not be aware of the full scope of your injuries immediately after the accident.
Contact an Attorney
Regardless of the severity of your injuries, an experienced attorney can help you determine the best approach to obtaining recovery for your injuries. If you are looking for a dedicated, experienced attorney, contact the David Aylor Law Offices in Charleston for a free case evaluation.