You may be in shock and full of adrenaline in the immediate aftermath of a car accident. In that condition, you may overlook the signs of a serious but “hidden” injury that you have suffered. For this reason, you should always see a doctor as early as you can after a crash of any kind.
Here are five common “hidden” injuries that people suffer in car accidents in South Carolina:
- Traumatic Brain Injury
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can occur when your brain strikes something or gets jostled by the impact in a crash. The injury can range from a mild concussion to a more severe type of TBI such as coup-contrecoup injury. Sensitivity to noise and light, a ringing in one’s ears, trouble with thinking and speaking clearly, severe headaches and nausea are all common symptoms. - Herniated Discs
A herniated – “slipped” or “ruptured” – disc can occur from compression or a blow to the spine in a crash. It is basically a bulging of one of the rubbery discs which cushion the bones in the spine. It can irritate nerves. Numbness, tingling and weakness are signs as well as pain radiating from the disc area. - Ligament Damage
A person’s body can get violently thrown about and twisted in awkward ways in a collision. Ligament damage in the neck, shoulders and knees commonly occurs due to the impact. If you experience swelling, stiffness, pain or lack of stability in those areas, they may be signs of a torn or strained ligament. - Internal Bleeding
Striking an object or getting struck or punctured by an object can cause a person to suffer damage internal organ damage and trigger bleeding that can become highly serious. Signs of internal bleeding include coughing up blood, blood in urine, nausea, headaches, dizziness, loss of breath, extreme thirst and loss of consciousness. A person may also have cold, clammy skin. - Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Many car accident victims suffer flashbacks, anxiety, depression and similar mental health issues. It may take a few days or weeks until the signs of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) surface. Although it is not a physical injury, PTSD can be as serious and as debilitating as a physical injury. For this reason, it is crucial to see a mental health professional as soon as possible if you show any PTSD symptoms.
Get Help from an Experienced South Carolina Car Accident Injury Lawyer
No matter what type of injury that you suffer in a car accident, you deserve to be compensated for your losses if someone else’s negligence caused the injury to occur. In addition to getting medical attention, you should consult with an experienced car accident attorney as early as you can.
At David Blackwell Law, we take pride in helping the right people for the right reasons. We will work hard to pursue all compensation that you are due after a car accident caused by another driver. You have only a limited amount of time to file a car accident injury claim, so a delay in taking action could be costly. We can review your case free of charge. Contact us today.
