It seemed to be a minor fender-bender when your car was struck from behind by another vehicle. You spoke with the other driver, exchanged information and went on your way with running errands.
Initially, you thought the lower back pain was not unusual. You figured the discomfort surfaced from sitting too long. Boy, were you wrong. By that evening, you were forced to walk bent from the waist and the only comfort you found was by lying down. You had a hidden injury caused by the earlier collision.
Headaches and numbness
Delayed injury symptoms, sometimes, surface. Whether you are a car driver, passenger, motorcyclist, pedestrian or cyclist, you may initially feel fine after a collision. But gradually, the discomfort turns into pain that may lead to a serious medical situation.
Among the more common delayed injury symptoms that may surface after a motor vehicle accident include:
- Back pain: The initial discomfort in your lower back may gradually worsen, leading to a trip to the emergency room. A lifetime of back problems may await you.
- Abdominal pain: Do not ignore that twinge in your torso or that bruise and swelling on your stomach. You may have internal bleeding – a sign of damage to your liver, spleen, lungs or heart.
- Headaches: Do not dismiss a headache. The pain and discomfort may represent a traumatic brain injury such as bleeding on the brain. Rest and medication are in store in order for you to recover.
- Behavioral changes: This often has parallels with head trauma. A blow to the head may cause unexpected personality changes. A normally soft-spoken person may suddenly transform into a foul-mouthed ogre.
- Tingling and numbness: These are signs that your arms and legs may have sustained nerve damage. In a matter of a few hours, you may even temporarily lose the use of your limbs. Those tingling sensations in your neck also may represent whiplash.
Please listen to your body. You may have suffered a severe injury without realizing it.
Get the treatment now
A delayed injury symptom often means a delay in medical treatment. At the slightest discomfort, it is a good idea to promptly seek medical treatment.