Car accidents can be life-changing for New Jersey residents. Certain types of injuries can stay hidden for a period of time after a crash. These are the ones you should look out for.
Concussion
Traumatic brain injuries like concussions are highly common after a car accident. Often, it’s not immediately apparent that you have suffered this type of injury as it could lie dormant for several days due to adrenaline. You may experience certain symptoms sooner that seem like a different condition. For example, headaches are common with concussions, but if you normally experience migraines, you might initially shrug them off. However, other symptoms such as confusion, dizziness, difficulty with memory and fatigue should set off alarm bells.
Soft tissue injuries
Soft tissue injuries affect the joints, tissue and tendons in areas like the wrists, ankles, knees and elbows. These are areas of the body you don’t immediately think of as suffering car accident injuries, but soft tissue injuries are more common than you might think.
Whiplash
Whiplash is a common injury sustained in car accidents. They commonly occur with rear-end or T-bone crashes and affect the neck. However, you might not feel soreness or strain for several weeks after your accident. Neck injuries need prompt treatment.
Internal injuries
A car crash can easily lead to internal bleeding and other injuries that are unseen. When these injuries go untreated, they can lead to serious complications and even death. Even in seemingly minor car accidents, it’s important to seek medical treatment to determine whether there might be internal injuries.
Spinal injuries
While serious, spinal injuries aren’t always obvious after a car accident. They can lead to a series of symptoms such as tingling or numbness in the limbs. In the worst-case scenarios, a spinal injury can result in paralysis.
Seeking treatment after a car accident is crucial. Even if you feel fine, it’s better to be safe than sorry.