Common Delayed Injuries To Be Aware Of After A Car Accident

Every year, over 36,000 car accidents occur in Ontario, with many of them happening in Toronto. Last year, Toronto recorded a total of 63 fatalities from car accidents – a 39% increase from the year before. It seems that even with a significant decrease in traffic volume, accidents are as rife as ever.

You may be unaware that you are injured after an accident due to the adrenaline pumping through your system. However, these injuries can become apparent after a few hours or a few days. Even if you’re checked over by a medical professional, there are some potential underlying issues that it’s important to be aware of.

Neck Pain & Shoulder Pain

Stiffness in your muscles or a throbbing pain around your neck and shoulder area could be a sign of soft tissue damage. When you brace yourself for a collision, or if your body is moved in a violent and unexpected way, the tendons in your neck and shoulder muscles can become damaged and feel stiff and sore as a result.

While it may seem like nothing, if left untreated, this could result in long-term limited movement, especially with spinal cord injuries, where you can suffer a compression or contusion of the spine.

Back Pain

You can begin to experience back pain from a few hours to a few days after your accident. Many people who’ve suffered a motor accident claim to experience pain in the lower back. This is caused by damage to the ligaments in your body which may have been stretched or even torn in the accident, leading to tightness and potential spasms.

Abdominal Pain

If you feel any abdominal pain after a motor vehicle accident, see a medical professional immediately. The most common cause of serious abdominal pain after this type of accident is internal bleeding. Due to the severe trauma to your body, there may be internal lacerations, including potentially damaged organs. If this is left untreated, it can lead to fatalities.

Headaches

If you have severe headaches following a car accident, you may be suffering from whiplash. This is caused by severe strain in the nerves and muscles surrounding your neck area. While whiplash is incredibly common and not normally something to be worried about, you should still contact a medical professional immediately as the pain may instead be caused by brain injury.

Traumatic brain injury causes the individual to become confused and disoriented, which can be difficult to spot directly after a car accident. Additionally, the adrenaline in your body may make brain injuries and whiplash difficult to detect.

Numbness/Tingling

Numbness or tingling sensations are most likely the result of nerves that have been damaged, which could mean anything from a pinched nerve to internal lacerations and spinal cord damage.

It’s important to keep an eye on these symptoms as they may continue for days after the accident. If your symptoms do not improve, speak to a medical professional immediately so that the sensations can be treated.

Seeking Care for Delayed Injuries

You should always seek medical attention as soon as possible following a collision, to reduce the risk of long-lasting or permanent consequences. The next thing you should do in seeking care is to contact a personal injury lawyer to protect your finances and gain compensation for your injuries.

Looking for An Experienced Car Accident Lawyer in Toronto?

If you’ve had an accident in or around the Toronto area and you think you may be entitled to compensation, then Ristich Law is here for you. We have over 25 years of experience in helping people receive the money they’re owed for different types of accidents. Contact us today and see how we can help with your case.