Delayed Symptoms That May Appear After an Auto Accident

Anywhere from 20 to 50 million are injured or disabled in auto accidents each year in the United States. While many people experience immediate pain from injuries sustained from accidents of this nature, this isn't always the case. Everyone reacts differently to a car accident. Some individuals may report some degree of confusion while others will insist they feel fine. Before agreeing to a settlement that only covers damages to your vehicle, consider the following symptoms that may develop several days or weeks following an auto accident.

Headaches

It's not unusual for headaches to develop several days after an auto accident. Delayed headaches are sometimes a sign of a serious medical problem, such as a concussion, an injury to the neck, or a blot clot within the brain.

Neck/Shoulder Pain

Whiplash is a common delayed injury often experienced after a rear-end vehicle collision. It's not always on people's radar as a possible injury since damage to cervical spine (neck) tissues can occur with accidents involving lower speeds. In addition to neck and shoulder pain, whiplash may produce numbness and tingling sensations that show up several days after an accident.

Back Pain

It sometimes takes several days for muscles, ligaments, tendons, and nerves around the spine to become affected by increased inflammation and swelling. Low back pain, in particular, is reported in more than half of all rear-impact auto accidents and in nearly 75 percent of all side-impact crashes.

Changes with Physical Function or Capabilities. Injuries that are slow to develop sometimes make it difficult to walk or participate in certain activities. Changes in physical function can be as subtle as having increased difficulty standing for long periods of time or as sudden as no longer being able to work in the garden or play a round of golf without pain.

Personality Changes

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), auto accidents are the third leading cause of traumatic brain injuries. Delayed responses to a traumatic brain injury may include personality changes, increased moodiness and irritability, or depression.

In situations where there are no apparent injuries, the other party's lawyer or insurance company may present you with certain documents to sign. Doing so may prevent you from seeking compensation should injuries become apparent later. Even if you're not seeing immediate signs of any injuries following an auto accident, Tampa Bay attorneys can protect your rights in the event circumstances change with your post-accident condition.