806 Kentuckians were victims of fatal car accidents in 2021 according to data from the Kentucky Transportation Center.
After a car accident, it is important to pay attention to the signs your body is giving you. Injuries may not become apparent until hours or even days or weeks after the incident. For this reason, you should keep a record of any symptoms you have and go to the doctor immediately if you notice anything off. Here are hidden injuries to look out for after a car accident.
Most Common Hidden Injuries
Neck (Whiplash)
During a sudden collision your whole body is thrust into a direction back and forth very quickly which causes neck strain and injury to the soft tissues. This is one of the most common hidden injuries due to the violent motion of a car crash.
Brain
You may experience a brain injury due to the collision in one of two ways: closed brain injuries and penetrating brain injuries. A closed brain injury occurs due to rapid back and forth movement within the skull resulting in tearing or bruising of brain tissue. A penetrating brain injury, or an open head injury, happens when an object pierces the skull.
These are some of the most serious car accident injuries. Early warning signs include loss of conciousness, vomitting, seizures, dilation of pupils, headache, and inability to wake up from sleep.
Back & Spine
The sudden jolt can put great pressure on your back and spine, possibly leading to a fracture or tissue damage. Spinal cord injuries such as a herniated disk can result from trauma to the spinal cord disk leading to the soft interior to push outward.
Internal injuries
Your internal organs such as your kidneys, liver, and intestines can be injured if an external force such as a seat belt puts enough pressure on them. Internal bleeding or organ damage may be present and could take time to detect.
PTSD
Car accidents don’t just leave physical injuries. The trauma of the event can lead to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), a condition where the sufferer deals with flashbacks, panic attacks, and avoidance of triggers such as driving or being in a car.
1 of every 22 drivers in Kentucky was involved in a traffic collision in 2021. It is important to know the signs and symptoms of the most common hidden injuries in case you are ever involved in an accident. Know that help is always available and you don’t deserve to suffer alone. Call Kaiman and Crahan for legal assistance.