Some car crash injuries are debilitating or painful immediately. When injuries are visible or have immediate symptoms, people can recognize that they require medical care and take appropriate steps to protect themselves after a crash, such as seeking medical attention promptly.
When people have delayed symptom onset, they are at risk of complications, such as insurance disputes due to the time that passes between their injury and their diagnosis. What types of injuries are likely to cause delayed symptoms after a car crash?
1. Traumatic brain injuries
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are known as an invisible injury. People can sustain life-altering trauma without any visible evidence of their injuries.
2. Stable physical injuries
People sustain serious traumatic injuries, such as fractures; the force of impact often pushes the bone out of alignment. However, some internal traumatic injuries do not result in the bone coming out of alignment or the displacement of tissue. A stable fracture that remains aligned may be tender, but people may not realize they broke a bone until they experience secondary trauma or physically exert themselves.
3. Internal bleeding
The physical pressure of safety restraints keeping someone in a vehicle during a crash or the force of impact with the steering column can cause bleeding inside the body. Especially when bleeding continues and puts pressure on nearby organs, internal bleeding can have catastrophic medical consequences. People may not realize they have sustained internal injuries immediately after a crash.
When a crash is serious enough to total a vehicle or leave other people injured, seeking medical attention can protect people from the worst-case scenario. Prompt medical care can help people prove that a car crash caused their injuries, while legal support can help them address their costs.