It is an unfortunate fact that people across Iowa are injured in car accidents every day. Whether these injuries are minor or serious, they may not always show up at the accident scene.
Sometimes, it can take several days or even longer for symptoms to manifest themselves. Because car accidents can be traumatic, victims may not be thinking clearly at the accident scene and not notice symptoms unless bleeding or broken bones are involved.
Headache is one symptom that may show up later. Headaches may signal an unnoticed neck injury or blood clot on the brain. Whiplash injuries to the neck typically take a while to show up and may be reflected in numbness in the extremities. Whiplash injuries most frequently occur in rear-end collisions. Rear-end collisions can also result in low back pain, signaling potential injury to ligaments, muscles or nerves. The lower back pain might also be due to damage to the vertebrae.
Some victims of car accidents may not suffer any physical injuries but may be emotionally damaged. Post-traumatic stress disorder is common after car accidents. Parents should watch their children because minors are especially vulnerable to PTSD.
Victims of car accidents need to seek medical help as soon as possible. In many cases, this might be at the accident scene or emergency room. When symptoms aren’t noticeable at the scene, drivers and passengers should seek medical help as soon as pain is noticed. A delay in seeking medical treatment might impact a personal injury claim for compensation from the negligent driver. A personal injury attorney may be able to advise victims on what to do and assist with the claims process.