Car crashes are a common occurrence. They can happen to anyone, anywhere, and at any time. It doesn’t matter how severe the accident is, car crashes are traumatizing. Besides mental scars, car accidents result in serious injuries, from concussion to nerve damage.
However, many car accident victims walk away from the accident scene unharmed. Wondering why? Well, that’s mainly because adrenaline rush masks underlying injuries. That is why the symptoms of some injuries aren’t apparent then and there. Instead, they take days or even weeks to manifest themselves.
In this article, we’ll discuss some delayed injury symptoms you should watch out for after being a car crash victim.
How Common are Car Crashes in the United States?
In terms of road traffic, the U.S. is one of the busiest countries. With more than 280 million vehicles operating in the country, no wonder road traffic crashes are the leading cause of death in the U.S.
Around 43,000 people died in traffic crashes in 2021, reveals NPR. That’s a 10.5% increase in traffic-related fatalities over 2020.
With 4,498 deaths, Texas ranks as the top state with the highest number of car accident-related fatalities. California is a close second with 4,285 car accident deaths.
Meanwhile, Missouri, with 1,016 car crash fatalities, ranks fourteen. However, WalletHub ranks Missouri as the second worst for teen drivers.
Shockingly, in St. Louis, a city in Missouri, alone, 178 people died in traffic crashes. For the first time, the death toll exceeded 100 in the county. Moreover, over 14,000 people were injured in auto accidents in the city. St. Louis ranks fourteen among the most dangerous cities for motorcyclists, with 3.33 fatalities per 100,000 in 2021.
Speeding is believed to be the primary reason behind one-third of fatal crashes. Only recently, a driver died in a high-speed crash after crashing into a tree just south of Downtown.
Getting involved in a car crash takes a severe toll on the body. Many times, traffic crashes lead to permanent disabilities. At the same time, your finances take a hit due to lost wages and medical treatments.
Fortunately, you don’t have to bear the expense alone. You can recover the damages by filing a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party. As navigating the complexities of law is fraught with challenges, hiring St. Louis personal injury lawyers will be the best bet.
An experienced lawyer knows how to handle negotiations. Rest assured that they will help you win fair compensation. When hiring a lawyer, make sure to find one who is experienced and familiar with the St. Louis legal system, advises TorHoerman Law.
Let us now take a look the common delayed injury symptoms associated with car accidents.
#1 Numbness and Tingling
Slight numbness and tingling sensations don’t necessarily indicate a serious condition. However, if you experience chronic tingling, like needles or pins, or numbness long after being a victim of a car accident, you could be suffering from a serious medical condition.
Often, these abnormal sensations are linked to a whiplash injury. You may argue that neck stiffness and soreness are the first symptoms of a neck injury. However, that isn’t always the case. In many auto accident victims, whiplash-associated disorders manifest themselves in the form of numbness.
An estimated 300/100,000 people sustain whiplash every year in the Western world, according to a recent NIH study.
Besides neck injury, experiencing these abnormal sensations could be an indication that you’re suffering from spinal cord injuries, nerve damage, or traumatic brain injury.
#2 Persistent Headaches
Chronic post-traumatic headache (CPTHA) is a common complaint among car accident survivors. Persistent headaches after being involved in an auto accident are often a tell-tale sign of traumatic brain injury.
Brain dysfunction caused by a violent blow to the head is known as traumatic brain injury. It could lead to temporary or permanent impairment of physical, cognitive, and psychological functions. Quite shockingly, an estimated 1.7 million people suffer a traumatic brain injury yearly, mainly due to motor-vehicle traffic crashes.
Peripheral nerve or plexus damage, soft tissue trauma, cervical injuries, and bone dislocations and fractures are a few reasons you might be experiencing CPTHA. While many completely recover from the injury, it leads to permanent disability or death in some individuals.
#3 Abdominal Pain
While neck pain and headaches are common after a traffic crash, abdominal pain isn’t that common. Therefore, the rarity of abdominal pain during car crashes makes it a serious issue. That means seeking medical attention is necessary. Otherwise, it could translate into something big and become life-threatening.
Internal bleeding could be the reason behind the pain in the abdomen. If you suspect any such thing, check for gray, purple, or dark blue color bruises on the abdomen. Not only internal bleeding, but bruises on the stomach could also be due to organ failure or damage.
Another possible reason you’re experiencing pain in the abdomen could be intestinal tract injury. This includes peritonitis, sepsis, and systemic infection.
Excessive bloating after getting involved in an auto accident can also cause discomfort. Bear in mind that abdominal trauma, like blood vessel damage, soft-tissue injury, and organ damage, could lead to bloating.
Wrapping Up
If you’ve been involved in a car crash, seeking medical attention is recommended, even if you seem perfectly fine. That’s because not all injuries are immediately apparent. If left untreated, delayed injury symptoms can lead to long-term health issues.
Besides, delaying care will have a negative impact on the compensation you deserve. Therefore, visit a doctor as soon as possible.