Let’s say that you are dealing with the aftermath of a car accident. The immediate aftermath of a car accident can be disorienting and frightening. You get out of your car and check yourself for injuries; everything seems fine, and you barely feel any pain. After exchanging information with the other driver, you decide not to call an ambulance or go to the hospital. There does not seem to be any physical damage, so you get back in your car and drive away.
Several weeks later, though, you start experiencing some strange symptoms. Your head hurts, you get dizzy frequently, and your neck is stiff. The car accident was such a long time ago that it couldn’t possibly be responsible for these symptoms, could it?
The danger of delayed symptoms
Many people who survive accidents are not aware that injuries do not always manifest immediately following a crash. Sometimes, injuries can take days, weeks or even months to appear. This does not necessarily mean that your injuries are minor. In fact, the untreated damage may have become severe. Non-physical injuries like emotional or psychological trauma may also be delayed in appearing, but come roaring in after a certain amount of time.
Symptoms to watch out for
There are a few common signs of delayed injuries that anyone who has been in a car accident should understand. If you experience these symptoms, you should seek medical treatment as soon as you can. When you go in for your exam, be sure to mention that you were in a car accident and are concerned that you may be experiencing delayed symptoms. Some of the signs you should watch out for include:
- Headaches
- Stiff neck
- Back pain
- Numbness
- Sudden change in personality
- Cognitive delays
Emotional and psychological injuries also have some recognizable symptoms to be aware of, like:
- Flashbacks
- Memory loss
- Disturbing dreams
- Mood swing
- Anxiety
- Depression
