4 Injuries to Watch for Several Days after a Car Accident

After a crash, you hop right out of your car to make sure everyone is okay and to inspect the damage. You feel fine, and so does everyone else, so you turn your attention to your car. However, just because you don’t feel anything in the immediate aftermath doesn’t mean that you’re perfectly okay. Some injuries have a delayed response, meaning you could seem unharmed the day of the accident, but experience symptoms later on. For at least a few days after a car accident, make sure you are keeping a close eye out for these common accident injuries!

Concussion

Unfortunately, brain injuries don’t always make themselves known right away. It may take a couple of days for the concussion to become more apparent, whether it’s through mood swings, migraines, sensitivity to light and sound, slow response time, or dizziness and confusion. These injuries can be difficult to recognize in yourself, so it can be helpful to have a friend or family member monitor you and let you know if you should seek medical advice.

Whiplash

If you’ve been in a rear-end accident, you could be at risk of a whiplash injury, where your neck is sharply moved forward and backward. With the adrenaline of the accident, your neck and upper back muscles might not feel painful in the moments afterward, but this can definitely become a problem a few days later. In addition to neck and shoulder pain, whiplash may manifest as headaches, numbness in the arms or hands, or difficulty concentrating. In most cases, a chiropractor can treat whiplash and help your neck and back feel much better.

Internal Organ Damage

Even if you are checked immediately after the accident, you should still watch out for signs of internal organ damage, which can be delayed. Deep, purple bruising, abdominal pain, stomach pain, constipation, or diarrhea could indicate a more serious injury that needs immediate medical attention.

Soft Tissue Damage

Like whiplash, certain strains or sprains can become apparent later on. Ligaments, muscles, and tendons can be injured in a car accident, but they may not immediately cause you pain. If you find that certain functions are more difficult or uncomfortable, you could benefit from seeing a chiropractor.

Your accident might be more serious as time goes by than you think right after it happens. You need to pay attention to your body and mental well-being for several days following the incident so that you can act quickly if you notice something amiss. Getting the help you need as quickly as possible can help you return to life as usual and move on after the accident.

About the Author

Dr. Zinovy Chukhman prefers to be called Dr. Z. He attended the Parker College of Chiropractic in Dallas and has since become certified by the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners. He is proficient in many techniques, including Thompson, flexion-distraction, and Gonstead methods of treatment. If you are interested in learning more about chiropractic care after car accidents, you can schedule an appointment with Dr. Z at AlignRight Injury & Rehab by calling the office at 972-907-2800 or online here.