7 Hidden Symptoms

After a car crash, you may be able to walk around and feel little more than “tightness.” But, the next 2 days, you may be unable to even get out of bed!

No one is more surprised than you. Of course, the drunk driver who is liable for that crash, will recall how you were “fine at the scene.” The investigating police officer will also agree you seemed “completely unhurt” and were only worried about your car.

You didn’t think you’d miss work. Even your spouse thought you were fine last night. But everything hurts. There are seven (7) hidden injuries we see appear days following violent car crashes:

Hidden Car Accident Injury #1

Neck Pain

Neck pain. Often called “whiplash,” or cervical strain, the commonality of this term does diminish how disabling it actually is. It hurts to do anything. More often than not, it only becomes a real problem in days 2-4 when the inflammation sets in.

Hidden Car Accident Injury #2

Chest/Abdominal Pain

Chest/abdominal pain. The outlines of the seat belt often will be visible across your chest or belly. The bruises are not immediately visible, but you’ll feel them with every cough, laugh or sneeze.

Hidden Car Accident Injury #3

Right Foot Pain

Right foot pain. Stomping on the brake and holding through an impact puts significant forces on your lower extremity. Right ankle and foot pain sometimes arises days later, as does the occasional broken toe.

Hidden Car Accident Injury #4

Vision Issues

Vision issues. Facial impact, whether from the dash, glass or the airbag, can damage vision. Usually accompanied by headaches, you could experience double vision, blurry vision, floaters or loss of peripheral vision, often called “tunnel vision.”

Hidden Car Accident Injury #5

Headaches

This is the most common post traumatic pain in days following the crash. In a car accident, the brain moves within the skull, often violently. Concussion (Traumatic Brain Injury TBI) symptoms are nausea, vision issues, throbbing, dizziness, sleep changes, appetite loss, irritability or mood changes, fatigue and light or sound sensitivity.

Hidden Car Accident Injury #6

Numbness/Tingling

This can seem less limiting than severe pain, but might be even more serious. This tends to indicate nerve damage and you should seek medical care quickly.

Hidden Car Accident Injury #7

Back Pain

By far the most common symptom of impacts, it can be long-lasting. Each vertebrae and disc constitute a joint, all of which can shift in an impact. Ruptured discs are sometimes the unfortunate result.

In general, getting medical care and proper diagnostic testing in the first week after an impact has no downsides. But trying to tough it out for months and then finally giving in and seeking treatment will likely result in a much worse situation for you all around. When in doubt, seek medical care.