Immediately after a motor vehicle accident, you will not notice the full extent of your injuries as some symptoms appear a few days or weeks later.
Seek medical attention right away after a car crash and monitor yourself for the common types of delayed injuries.
Common delayed injuries
Back, shoulder and neck pain is common after a car accident. If the pain in these areas seems severe and the discomfort is unbearable, seek medical treatment as lasting injuries in these areas can have severe consequences on your body.
Headaches or migraines following a motor vehicle accident are signs that you may have a concussion or other head injury. If your head causes you abnormal pain, get a medical evaluation right away.
You could notice joint pain days or weeks after a car accident. As with other delayed injuries, monitor the area and get appropriate treatment quickly for your hip, knee, elbow, or ankle so you do not experience lasting health issues.
Abdominal pain is a serious indicator of internal organ damage or bleeding. Failure to treat these types of symptoms may result in worsening injuries or death.
Importance of uninterrupted treatment
Waiting after the motor vehicle accident to seek medical attention, taking gaps between treatments or stopping your care prematurely allows the other driver’s insurer to potentially reduce the value of your case.
The insurance adjuster will attempt to show that your injuries do not relate to the accident, so you need to seek medical help as soon as you notice pain or other symptoms.