whiplash from rear-end collision

5 Hidden Injuries to Watch Out for After an Auto Accident

By Greg Kohn
Partner

If you’ve been in a car accident, you may wonder what kind of injuries you could have sustained without realizing it. Even if you don’t feel like you’re injured after a car accident, it’s important to get checked out by a doctor. Some injuries can take time to appear, so it’s better to be safe than sorry. If you do have any hidden injuries, get the medical attention that you need so that you can make a full recovery. Our New Jersey car accident attorneys discuss five hidden injuries to watch out for after an auto accident. 

Neck Injuries

Car accidents are one of the leading causes of personal injury in the United States. While most people are aware of the potential for head and back injuries, they may not be aware of the dangers of neck injuries. 

Whiplash is a common type of neck injury that can occur even in relatively low-speed collisions. The sudden jolt of a car accident can cause the muscles and ligaments in the neck to stretch beyond their normal range of motion, resulting in pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. In severe cases, whiplash can also lead to headaches, dizziness, and memory problems. 

If you have been in a car accident, it is important to see a doctor even if you do not feel immediate pain. X-rays and other diagnostic tests can help to identify hidden injuries such as whiplash. Depending on the severity of your injuries, you may require physiotherapy, chiropractic care, or even surgery. By seeking medical attention promptly after an accident, you can help to ensure that your injuries are properly treated and avoid long-term health problems.

Brain Injuries

Many people think of car accidents as minor fender benders that result in little more than a few bruises. However, even a low-speed collision can cause serious injuries, including brain damage. 

The human brain is protected by the skull, but it can still be jarred by the force of an impact. This can cause bruising, bleeding, and swelling, which can lead to long-term cognitive problems. In some cases, brain damage from a car accident can be subtle, making it difficult to diagnose. 

Symptoms may include headaches, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, memory problems, and mood swings. If you have been in a car accident, it is important to see a doctor as soon as possible. 

Even if you don’t feel injured, it is possible to have unseen damage. A medical professional can order tests to check for cognitive problems and provide you with the treatment you need to recover from your injuries.

Back Injuries

Because the back is responsible for supporting the head and torso, it can be susceptible to strain and other types of damage in a car accident. Symptoms of a back injury may not appear immediately after the accident, but could develop over time. For this reason, it is important to see a doctor after a car accident, even if you do not feel any immediate pain. By getting a full medical evaluation, you can ensure that any hidden injuries are discovered and treated as soon as possible.

Soft Tissue Injuries

Soft tissue injuries are among the most common hidden car accident injuries. These injuries can occur when your body is suddenly jerked around in a car accident. The force of the impact can cause your muscles, tendons, and ligaments to stretch or tear. Soft tissue injuries often occur in the neck and shoulder area, but they can also affect the lower back, hips, and legs. 

Symptoms of a soft tissue injury may not appear immediately after an accident. Instead, they may take days or even weeks to develop. If you were in a car accident and are experiencing pain or soreness in any area of your body, it is important to see a doctor as soon as possible. Only a medical professional can determine if you have suffered a hidden car accident injury.

Internal Injuries

Though some car accident injuries are immediately apparent, others may not show up for days or even weeks after the initial accident. This is particularly true of internal injuries, which can be hard to detect without medical testing. Internal bleeding is one of the most serious types of hidden injuries, and it can quickly lead to organ damage or even death if left untreated. Other common hidden injuries include broken bones, whiplash, and concussions. Even if you don’t feel pain right away, it’s important to see a doctor after a car accident. They will be able to order the appropriate tests and make sure that you’re on the road to recovery. Our New Jersey car accident attorneys have helped many people who have been in accidents and we can help you too. Contact our office for a free consultation so that we can answer any questions that you may have about your case.

About the Author
Greg Kohn is a partner at Nagel Rice and specializes in complex civil litigation cases, including professional malpractice, personal injury, class actions, wrongful death, products liability, and commercial litigation.  He has extensive experience representing clients in both state and federal court. Greg has tried many jury trials to verdict and has recovered over $50 million in settlements and verdicts in all types of personal injury matters including automobile accidents, wrongful death cases, slip and falls, and other catastrophic injury cases. Greg also handles medical malpractice cases, involving misdiagnoses, wrongful birth, and delayed cancer diagnosis. If you have questions regarding this article, you can contact Greg here.