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Top 4 Hidden Injuries Following A Car Crash

Alexander D. Napolin, Esq.

The Most Common Hidden Car Crash Injuries

The Most Common Hidden Car Crash Injuries

In the aftermath of a car crash, it is common for the parties involved to notice their injuries soon after the adrenaline from the incident wares off. In this case, the injured tend to seek medical help as soon as possible.

Seeking prompt medical care is advisable by most competent personal injury attorneys since it aids in the verification of the type and extent of your injuries. It also sets you down the road to recovery at the earliest possible opportunity, which gets you closer to carrying on with your life the way it was before the collision.

However, this is not always the case. Since all accidents are unique, the injuries resulting from them can be unpredictable. Although some are noticed within minutes or hours of the collision, others are not noticed until much later. These injuries are known as “Late Appearing Injuries” or “Hidden Injuries,” and can pose challenges to your claim if not addressed properly.

  1. Whiplash – This injury frequently results from read-end collisions, even at low speeds. Whiplash occurs when the head is suddenly and harshly moved in opposite directions, such as backwards then forward. This places spontaneous strain on the neck. Our bodies naturally brace for impact by tensing up the muscles to protect the bones, joints and internal organs. When we do not have sufficient time to brace, our muscles instead get jerked in a direction and that protection mechanism fails. Serious injuries such as whiplash can result. Many symptoms of whiplash do not appear until days to even weeks after an injury as the damage to the muscles and possibly the discs in your spine become more apparent.
  2. Traumatic Brain Injury – One of the most common and late-to-appear injuries is TBI or Traumatic Brain Injury. This occurs when the brain impacts with the skull, causing bruising in extreme cases. Hitting your head on the steering wheel or airbag, for example, has a high likelihood of producing this kind of injury. Some report symptoms of TBI immediately, while others, such as professional athletes, have reported symptoms years after the incident occurred.
  3. Knee/Shoulder Injuries – Car crashes, especially at fast speeds, can violently jostle the vehicles occupants. This erratic movement leads to different parts of your body, frequently knees and shoulders, hitting various hard components of the cars interior. These joints are relatively fragile and the bones can easily break or fracture depending on the angle and force of the impact. Inflammation and soft tissue damage of the knees or shoulders are not always felt right away as they tend to take time to worsen to the point of noticeable pain. When the pain does arise, it is often severe and since the knees and shoulders are so commonly used in day-to-day activities, you may not be able to perform many seemingly normal tasks as a result.
  4. Psychological Injuries – This may be the most underestimated Hidden Injury. Motor vehicle accidents tend to be very traumatic experiences, forcing those involved to confront their own mortality when they were not prepared or willing to do so. Witnessing the injuries and damage caused by the accident may not seem like much while you're in a state of shock, but as time passes, many report having extreme emotional reactions to any event that brings memories of the crash to their attention. These emotional reactions can even manifest as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in extreme cases. Psychological damage should not be overlooked as it can, like physical injury, prevent you from returning to work or recovering.

What To Do If You Suspect You Have A Hidden Injury

You might be asking yourself “what can I do to treat an injury I am not even sure I have?” In almost all instances of vehicle collisions, those involved should seek medical care immediately. A trained medical practitioner is much better suited at identifying injuries, even those without apparent symptoms, than the average person.

Even if you feel relatively uninjured by an accident, it is still smart to seek medical advice to ensure that you will not feel any unexpected pain in the future from an injury resulting from the collision. Waiting until you're in pain may prevent you from returning to work, having a valid claim, or making a full recovery should you have a Hidden Injury.

Hire A California Personal Injury Law Firm Today!

Have you been injured by the neglect of another through no fault of your own? If so, you will need an experienced accident injuries lawyer to help you navigate the process and advocate for you in a court of law if necessary.

An attorney can help you find the appropriate doctor to treat you for your injuries, usually on a lien basis so private health insurance is not even required. A reputable accident attorney will also help collect appropriate evidence including medical evidence to prepare for the litigation phase of the case.

This is why getting a lawyer early on in the fact gathering and investigation phase. Failing to properly collect evidence and document bodily harm can significantly devalue a claim. In addition, a good lawyer will provide you with advice from the insight they have obtained from their experience working on other cases that you will need in order to make the best decisions throughout the legal process.

Getting represented early is the best idea so that the client can put up a barrier between them and the adjuster so they do not do or say anything adverse to their legal interests. Furthermore, the case can be properly prepared from day one to be brought to trial. Call today!

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