For many Tennessee drivers, the injuries they receive in a vehicle accident manifest immediately. Cuts and broken bones are visible surface injuries that frequently occur. However, other injuries don’t always show up right away. These seven types of injuries can take hours, days or even weeks to develop.
Headaches are one such injury. A headache isn’t outwardly visible and often doesn’t occur immediately after the accident. In addition, headaches can often be a sign of a more serious condition such as a concussion or a blood clot.
The second type of unseen injury is neck or shoulder pain. Typically, pain in the neck or shoulder stems from a condition known as whiplash that is caused by the body being rapidly jerked in a different direction.
The third hidden symptom that occurs in vehicle accident victims is back pain. Much like neck and shoulder issues, back pain doesn’t always immediately manifest directly after an accident. In some cases, back pain isn’t present until the following day.
Abdominal pain or swelling is another example. Other potentially related symptoms include abdominal bruising, dizzying or fainting. These are all possible signs of internal bleeding, a life-threatening condition that needs to be treated immediately.
The fifth example is numbness. A lack of feeling in the hands or feet is often a symptom of whiplash. The numbness is an indication of potential nerve or spinal damage related to the spinal column being injured in the crash.
Changes in personality or physical function aren’t always noticeable immediately but can indicate a serious medical issue caused by the collision. More specifically, symptoms can involve loss of motor skills, memory and blindness. These can all be evidence of a traumatic brain injury and warrant medical treatment.
Finally, another example that often isn’t associated with vehicle accidents is post-traumatic stress disorder. PTSD can occur after any traumatic event, and many people consider a vehicle accident to be one of the most distressing experiences in their lives.
An individual who has survived a motor vehicle accident and since developed new impairments or symptoms might have a claim for damages if the accident was the fault of another driver. An attorney with experience in personal injury law may be able to assist that individual with recovering damages either through a negotiated settlement or by filing a lawsuit.