Three Types Of Injuries To Watch For After A Car Accident
With nearly ten million vehicles involved in traffic accidents in 2013, that's a lot of potential injuries. If you've never been in a car accident before, not only are you lucky, but you may also not know what to expect in the event that one does happen. Understanding the most common injuries that you're likely to experience can help you determine your overall condition after that first accident. This is important, because it will help you recognize when you need to seek not only medical care but also legal support. Here's a look at some of the things to watch for that may indicate that you need an auto accident attorney.
Headaches
Many people experience headaches after an auto accident. This occurs as a result of the sudden deceleration, because your brain can actually float forward and strike the inside of your skull. Even mild movement in response to the accident can cause a headache afterward. If you're struggling with a headache that persists for days after the accident, though, you may have a concussion or more serious injury. Talk with a healthcare provider right away for evaluation in that case. You'll need the documentation for your attorney.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Of all the injuries that you can sustain in a car accident, soft tissue is one of the hardest to identify. Your body has a lot of soft tissue, from the muscles and ligaments to your tendons. Bruising, sprains, strains and stretches are all likely soft tissue injuries you might sustain during an accident.
Warning signs of soft tissue damage include things like joint or muscle aches and limited range of motion in specific body parts. Some soft tissue damage is mild and heals quickly, though other damage can take months to recover. The longer it takes for your injuries to heal, the higher your medical costs are likely to go. That's why it's important to recognize soft tissue damage early so you can work with both a medical care team and a legal professional.
Spinal and Neck Injuries
The spinal cord and neck are particularly vulnerable to injuries from things like deceleration. Since your body keeps moving briefly after the car comes to a stop, the forward motion followed by the sudden reverse after impact can lead to a variety of different problems. Whiplash is the most common neck and spinal injury suffered in an auto accident. The term is used to encompass many types of injuries, and can show as stiffness, burning and pain. You might even feel some general dizziness, fatigue and lack of concentration.
You may not feel the symptoms of whiplash for a couple of days following the accident. You might think that you're fine when the emergency medical professionals try to evaluate you on the scene. Don't refuse that treatment. Even if you think there's nothing wrong, it's important that you're assessed. Not only can the initial evaluation help you with documentation, the preventative measures that emergency medical services take on the scene can help prevent whiplash from worsening due to movement. You'll be placed in a collar that will immobilize your neck, at least until a doctor can do a complete assessment.
Failing to seek treatment on the scene may tell the other party's insurance company that you weren't really injured or that you're making your symptoms up. The earlier you seek treatment, the more comprehensive your records will be after the accident and the easier it will be for your attorney to make a case.
The more you know about the potential injuries you could sustain, the more proactive you can be about taking care of yourself after an accident. This can not only help you build a solid case against the driver, but will also help you to recover as quickly and completely as possible following the accident. Talk with a car accident attorney, such as those at the Law Offices of Burton J. Hass, right away to make sure that your rights are protected.
Share