When you are involved in a car accident, you may receive serious injuries which require extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation. However, even if you were in a car accident and did not immediately experience any pain or other medical issues, you should be aware of possible side effects that may not make themselves known until months after the accident.
Potential Long-Term Side Effects of a Car Accident
Everyone reacts differently to the trauma of a vehicle collision. The experience is terrifying for everyone involved, and it can cause physical and mental stress in the days that follow. Individuals involved in a car accident may experience the following side effects long after a car accident occurs:
- Headaches – This type of pain can often develop several days after a car accident, and it can indicate a more serious problem, such as a blood clot in the brain.
- Whiplash – Rear-end collisions which occur when cars are traveling at less than 14 miles per hour can result in shoulder or neck pain or stiffness. These types of injuries often require extensive physical therapy, and they can cause serious complications if not addressed immediately.
- Back pain – This type of pain can develop at any time after a car accident and could indicate muscle, nerve, and ligament injury, or even damage to the vertebrae.
- Abdominal pain or swelling – These symptoms, along with deep purple bruises, dizziness, nausea, and fainting, could indicate internal bleeding, which is a medical emergency that must be quickly treated.
- Numbness – Loss of feeling in your arms or hands could indicate damage to the neck or spinal column.
- Changes in personality, thought processes, or physical functions – These symptoms can include impaired memory, movement, problems with vision or hearing, or overall personality changes, and they may indicate that a brain injury has occurred.
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – Flashbacks and disturbing memories of the car accident can affect people well after an accident has occurred, and children are especially susceptible to these symptoms.
Contact a Plainfield IL Car Accident Attorney
If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident, you should seek medical help immediately, even if you were not hurt at the time of the accident. If you delay medical assistance, then you may develop side effects that can negatively impact your overall quality of life. At Flaherty Law, LLC, we understand the medical issues which can result from a car accident, and we are ready to provide effective legal representation to help you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries. For a free initial consultation, please call a Will County personal injury attorney at 815-860-5702.
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