How long after a car accident can injuries appear?

Car accidents can have different effects on your physical and mental health. You might immediately know you have serious injuries and need treatment. However, you might initially feel fine, only to experience pain or other symptoms hours or even days later. In such situations, having the right legal support is crucial. 

Experienced Illinois car accident lawyers are here to help you through the aftermath of your accident, advising you to get proper medical treatment and ensuring you seek the compensation and justice you deserve. 

Common car accident injuries

Car accidents can cause many types of injuries. Some you might notice right away, like lacerations or fractures. Others might take time to appear. 

These can include:

Concussions and Other Traumatic Brain Injuries

A concussion can happen when your head is hit or shaken violently. In a car accident, this can happen if your head hits the steering wheel or window, or if you’re thrown around inside the car. 

Symptoms might include:

• Headache
• Confusion
• Dizziness
• Memory problems

Other traumatic brain injuries can be even more serious and might cause long-lasting problems with thinking, movement, or emotions. Even if a medical professional diagnoses you with a “mild” concussion, you can still suffer serious symptoms. There is nothing mild or minor about the effects of a brain injury, so never assume you do not deserve compensation for a so-called “mild” concussion. It is always worth learning about your legal rights.

Shoulder or Rotator Cuff Pain

The impact of a car accident can hurt your shoulder or the rotator cuff, which is a group of muscles and tendons around your shoulder joint. This can cause pain, especially when you try to lift your arm or reach for things.

Numbness

After a car accident, you might feel numbness in parts of your body. This could be because of:

• Nerve damage
• Spinal cord injuries
• Reduced blood flow to an area

Numbness can be temporary or long-lasting, depending on what caused it.

Back Pain

Back pain is very common after car accidents. It can be caused by:

• Whiplash (when your neck and upper back are suddenly jerked)
• Sprains or strains in your back muscles
• Herniated discs (when the soft part between your spine bones pushes out)

Back pain can range from mild to severe and might last for days, or weeks, or even become chronic.

Abdominal Pain

Pain in your belly area after a car accident could be serious. It might mean you have internal injuries, like:

• Damage to organs like your liver or spleen
• Internal bleeding

If you have abdominal pain after an accident, it’s important to see a doctor right away.

Vertigo

Vertigo is a feeling that you or the things around you are spinning. It can happen after a car accident due to:

• Inner ear damage
• Concussion or other head injuries
• Neck injuries

Vertigo can make you feel dizzy and unsteady, which can be dangerous if you’re trying to walk or drive.

Flashbacks and/or Nightmares

Car accidents can be scary experiences that affect your mind as well as your body. Some people have:

• Flashbacks (suddenly feeling like you’re back in the accident)
• Nightmares about the accident
• Anxiety about driving or being in a car

These are signs of emotional trauma and might mean you have Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Organ Failure

In severe accidents, organs can be damaged. This might lead to organ failure, which is when an organ stops working properly. This is very serious and needs immediate medical attention.

Damaged Breast Implants

For people with breast implants, a car accident can cause damage to the implants. This might lead to:

• Rupture of the implant
• Shifting of the implant’s position
• Pain or changes in how the breast looks

If you have breast implants and are in a car accident, it’s important to have them checked by a doctor.

Just because you don’t feel hurt right away doesn’t mean you’re okay. Some injuries can take hours, days, or even weeks to show up.

Car Accident Symptoms Immediately After A Car Crash

Right after an accident, you might notice:

• Pain or soreness
• Cuts, scrapes, or bruises
• Dizziness or feeling confused
• Trouble moving certain body parts

If you have any of these symptoms or feel anything else out of the ordinary, get checked by a doctor right away. 

Possible symptoms 24-48 hours after a car crash

Sometimes, you might start feeling bad a day or two after the accident. This can include:

• Headaches
• Neck or shoulder pain
• Back pain
• Numbness or tingling in your arms or legs
• Stomach pain
• Feeling more tired than usual

If you start feeling these symptoms, don’t ignore them. They could be signs of a serious injury that’s just starting to show up.

Delayed-onset injuries after a car accident

Some injuries might not show up for days or even weeks after the accident. These are called delayed-onset injuries. 

They can include:

• Concussion symptoms (like headaches, trouble concentrating, or mood changes)
• Back pain
• Neck pain
• PTSD (feeling very scared or upset when thinking about the accident)

Just because an injury shows up later doesn’t mean it’s not serious. Pay attention to how you’re feeling and get medical help.

Assessing Injuries After a Car Accident

After a car accident, it is essential to take several important steps to ensure your health and protect your legal rights:

• Get checked by a doctor, even if you feel okay, to identify any hidden injuries that might not be immediately apparent.
• Keep track of any new symptoms that show up, as some injuries or complications can develop over time.
• Follow up with your doctor if you start feeling worse, to ensure you receive appropriate medical care and to document any changes in your condition.
• Keep all your medical records and bills, as they will be crucial for any insurance claims or legal actions you may need to pursue.

Remember, some insurance companies might try to say your injury isn’t from the car accident if you wait too long to get help. That’s why it’s important to get checked out early and keep track of your symptoms.

Contacting an Edwardsville Car Accident Attorney

If you or a loved one is hurt in a car accident, consult a car accident attorney. 

Our Walton Telken Bragee Illinois car accident lawyers will help you understand your rights, deal with insurance companies, and seek compensation needed for medical bills and other costs. Contact us by calling 844-307-7349 or reach out online. Consultations are always free.

We’re a Midwest-based law firm, small by choice, with big impact. At Walton Telken, our mission is simple: achieve the best possible outcomes for each of our clients. Powered by our passion for victims’ rights and 150 years of combined legal experience, we work hard towards this goal every day—and we have the track record to prove it.

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