Car crashes can cause devastating physical injuries. People can fracture bones, making it painful for them to exit their vehicles. They can sustain spinal cord injuries that prevent them from moving their lower extremities at all. Major lacerations obviously require immediate medical attention.
People with visible, painful or functionally-limiting injuries can notify local authorities about their need for medical care when they call to report the crash. Other people might not be able to immediately diagnose their own injuries. They may need to see a doctor to diagnose or rule out possibly serious medical issues.
What types of injuries do people frequently fail to notice immediately after a car crash?
1. Traumatic brain injuries
Car crashes can injure the human brain through a variety of different mechanisms. People with moderate to severe traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) may not initially realize that they have sustained a life-altering injury. The inflammation or bleeding inside the skull may continue for days before there are significant symptoms. The damage that has already occurred is impossible to reverse. Seeing a doctor to diagnose a TBI before it worsens can help people push for the best long-term prognosis.
2. Internal bleeding
The force of the seatbelt holding someone in their seat or blunt-force trauma due to contact with parts of the vehicle can cause dangerous internal bleeding. People can bleed into their chest cavity or abdomen without realizing it initially. They could go days before they have concerning symptoms of blood loss. Internal bleeding can cause permanent injuries in some cases and can be life-threatening in others. Imaging tests may be necessary to diagnose internal bleeding after a crash occurs.
3. Stable traumatic injuries
Many fractures and spinal cord injuries produce immediate symptoms. People feel pain or notice a loss of sensation almost instantly. Other times, the broken bone may remain in proper alignment. People can use the affected body part for days before they worsen the fracture and then require medical care.
Incomplete spinal cord injuries can also be easy for people to overlook. They may not recognize that they need emergency medical care because they can still use their lower extremities. However, incomplete spinal cord injuries that involve the pinching or tearing of the spinal cord can worsen due to vehicle motions or exercise. People who could walk after a crash could lose that ability if the injury becomes complete later.
Delays in diagnosis can lead to a worse long-term medical outcome for a person hurt in a crash. They can also make it harder for people to secure compensation for their injuries. Seeing a doctor for a diagnosis and then working with an attorney to look at options for compensation can be the best choices available to those with serious car crash injuries.