Late Warning Signs of Injury after a Car Accident

Symptoms of injuries sustained from car accidents don’t necessarily appear immediately. In fact, some symptoms can take hours, days or even weeks to show up, so it’s important to keep an eye out for warning signs of serious injury in the days and weeks following a car accident.

Warning Signs After a Car Accident

Victims involved in car accidents can sometimes be unaware of any pain or discomfort due to the shock and adrenaline produced in the accident. Even though you may not feel any immediate pain after a car accident, you should seek medical attention to ensure that you haven’t sustained any serious injuries that don’t have obvious symptoms. Visit the nearest emergency room or book an appointment with your family doctor, and keep an eye out for any alterations in your physical or mental health.

Headaches, Confusion or Dizziness

Victims of car accidents often experience headaches. Headaches and dizziness can be symptoms of underlying serious medical conditions. Over 30% of patients with mild to severe traumatic brain injuries reported having headaches for an extended period of time after an injury, and approximately 29% of patients with spinal cord injuries experienced migraines. Both conditions can be fatal if left untreated.

Confusion, dizziness and headaches can be signs of an undiagnosed concussion. If you are noticing these symptoms, take note of the severity, duration and when they first started occurring. Treating a concussion immediately is the best route to ensure healing as quickly as possible.

Sudden and Unexplained Bleeding

Unexplained and sudden bleeding after a car accident is alarming. Bleeding from your nose, mouth, or ears could indicate further bleeding in the brain. In addition, blood in your urine or stool could indicate internal bleeding. If you notice either of these, call 911 immediately. It’s critical to seek immediate medical attention if you or a loved one is experiencing any unexplained and sudden bleeding following a car accident. 

Nausea or Stiffness

Nausea is an important warning sign you should not ignore after a car accident. Nausea could be a sign of a head injury or whiplash, so it’s crucial to seek medical assistance if you’re feeling nauseous after a car accident.

Pain or stiffness in the neck and shoulder are typical signs of whiplash, which is one of the most common injuries sustained in a car collision (especially if you were struck from behind). Even though whiplash is a common outcome of car collisions, it shouldn’t be ignored or downplayed. 

In Alberta, whiplash injuries fall under the “Cap,” and victims of whiplash can file for compensation. Speak to a personal injury lawyer in Alberta.

Behavioural Changes

Changes in behaviour or personality after a car accident could be a serious sign of brain injury; victims diagnosed with a brain injury have reported the following changes in how they feel and how they act:

• Anxiety
• Anger
• Denial
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Depression
• Obsessiveness
• Grief

While this is not a complete list, it should give you an idea of the types of personality changes to watch out for. If you or a loved one is experiencing any significant changes, speak to a medical professional right away. 

When Should I Contact A Personal Injury Lawyer?

Any time you have been injured in a car accident you should contact a personal injury lawyer. You might not know whether your injuries will allow you to return to work or when you’ll fully recover, which is why you need an experienced personal injury law team to help you navigate your case.

James H. Brown and Associates understand firsthand that injuries from car accidents go behind physical injuries. Our team of experienced personal injury lawyers has helped many car accident victims in Alberta attain the compensation they deserve. 

Book a free consultation with one of our personal injury lawyers at 1(855) 428-0088 (24/7) or fill out our online form, and one of our lawyers will get in touch with you within minutes.