6 Common Delayed Injuries After a Car Crash

You were shaken up by your accident, but you weren’t injured. At least, that’s what you thought at the time.

Certain things seem off now, and you’re not so sure if you’re okay.

Small accidents, like hitting a deer on a highway or a car rear-ending you don’t seem severe at first blush, but let’s be clear: if you were in an accident and are now dealing with delayed injuries, you have just as much of a right to fair treatment and compensation as someone who showed signs of injury at the scene, even if it’s hours, days, or weeks after the incident.

Here are a few of the most common delayed injury symptoms to watch out for:

1. Persistent Headaches

Persistent headaches are a common post-auto accident injury. Unfortunately, they’re also tricky because they’re a significant sign for a lot of injuries, including TBIs (traumatic brain injuries).

People who get into car accidents are unlikely to experience headaches immediately, but may notice them a few days later. They can be as small as mild tension headaches or more severe migraines, depending on how bad the auto accident was. Headaches could indicate concussions, tension from muscle strains, whiplash complications (usually also paired with neck and back pain), or more severe issues like a traumatic brain injury or a blood clot.

No matter the cause, if you experience persistent headaches after a car accident, seek medical attention right away.

2. Neck & Back Pain

Like headaches, neck and back pain are very common delayed injuries. Even relatively minor collisions can result in whiplash, which can develop gradually as inflammation sets in. You could initially feel stiff after your accident, but over time, that stiffness may worsen until you have severe neck and back pain.

This is why it’s important to seek medical attention after an auto accident, even if you feel fine.

3. Personality or Cognitive Changes

Sometimes, your brain doesn’t show damage through pain. If you experience memory problems, inexplicable mood shifts, or sudden, distinct personality changes, that’s a major red flag that something is wrong.

The biggest concern with personality or cognitive changes is that they may indicate a traumatic brain injury. Even a mild TBI can have complex, far-reaching consequences for you and your loved ones—and recovery can be an expensive process.

4. Loss of Sensation

Whiplash doesn’t always come with chronic neck pain. Some individuals with whiplash may also experience a lack of sensation or tingling in their hands or arms.

This occurs due to injuries to the spinal column or surrounding nerves. Since your spine is responsible for relaying information to your brain about sensation, damage to the nerves means that your spine can’t send information to the brain.

Without sensory input to interpret or with insufficient sensory data, the brain draws a blank, and you experience numbness or tingling in the affected areas.

5. Abdominal Pain or Swelling

Abdominal pain or swelling is serious and should be addressed immediately because it can be a sign of internal bleeding, especially if it’s accompanied by deep bruising, dizziness, or fainting. If unresolved, any damage to your internal organs can quickly evolve into significant complications or even death.

6. Consistent Sleep Disturbance

Even if the auto accident seemed insignificant, your body still experienced a stress response to it. When your body is stressed, your nervous system releases adrenaline and cortisol to keep you alert. It takes some time for your nervous system to calm down after stress, which can make it hard to relax or sleep restfully, especially if the accident occurred at night or just before twilight.

Any lingering stress about the accident will result in restless sleep and worsening fatigue.

Are You Suffering From Delayed Car Accident Injuries?

The statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Michigan is 1 year for no-fault benefits and 3 years for pain and suffering.

If you think your existing injuries are from an auto accident, even if they showed up weeks later, you need an attorney who can help guide you through the legal process, explain the complexities of your injury to a jury, and ensure you receive the care you deserve.

Giroux Pappas Trial Attorneys has handled over 120 trials throughout Michigan and helped countless individuals and families recover millions after auto accidents.

If you need support, our auto accident attorneys are ready to help. Contact our firm today to schedule a free and confidential consultation.