A traveler involved in a motor vehicle accident often experiences a surge of adrenaline that can cover the pain or aftereffects of the crash. A host of difficulties might arise after a victim assumes there was no injury.
Accident victims should carefully monitor their condition for days after a crash so that a minor discomfort does not grow into a major disability.
Back problems
Slight back numbness or faint tingling may not cause alarm, especially if the feeling comes hours or days after a low-impact accident. An examination may reveal a herniated disk pressing against spinal nerves. Back pain might also point to muscle or vertebrae damage.
Stomach pain
Stomach or abdominal discomfort might result from internal damage and bleeding after a wreck. Symptoms in other body parts may follow, and the results can be fatal.
Headaches and mental struggles
Though headaches may be common for many folks, pain, fogginess or memory difficulties could signal deeper issues. Even if an accident victim does not bump or bang their head during the incident, a jarring impact may cause a concussion or a brain blood clot. Instead of taking a pain reliever and dismissing symptoms, headaches after an accident are an excellent reason to visit a physician.
Shoulder and neck discomfort
Rear-end collisions often cause whiplash. While a person might improve without medical care, the injury can result in chronic pain in the neck and shoulders. Sufferers could even permanently lose range of motion in the neck and experience symptoms like ringing in the ears, blurred vision and trouble sleeping.
Accident victims should never assume there was no injury after a crash. Rather, a professional medical opinion (or two) can help a person find any harm and treat issues before they deteriorate.
