For decades, films showing the grisly aftermath of car accidents were a key part of driver’s ed courses. They aim to shock impressionable young viewers into understanding the serious consequences of careless, inattentive, or reckless driving. But in concentrating on these gruesome images, the films often overlook that car accidents can also cause severe, debilitating injuries that go undetected at first.
Injuries like internal bleeding, soft tissue damage, and traumatic brain injuries might not look as dramatic as gashes, amputations, and mangled bones. However, their consequences can be just as serious.
Why You Should Seek Medical Attention Immediately After an Accident
One of the most crucial steps to take after an accident is to seek medical attention, regardless of whether you feel injured. Not all injuries are immediately obvious. Many only manifest hours or days after the trauma, particularly those related to the head, neck, or internal organs. Delaying medical treatment can cause these conditions to worsen, leading to more debilitating long-term consequences.
From a legal perspective, promptly seeking medical care also strengthens any personal injury claims you may later pursue. A timely medical examination provides concrete evidence that links the injuries to the accident. Waiting too long might give opposing parties room to argue that the injuries were not a direct result of the accident or were worsened by your failure to seek help promptly. Immediate medical attention is crucial to both your health and your ability to seek compensation.
Brain Injuries: The Invisible Injury
Brain injuries are often called the “invisible injury” because their effects cannot be seen by the naked eye. Unlike a broken bone or a visible cut, the effects of a brain injury can remain hidden from the outside world – but their impact can be severe. Symptoms can range from subtle changes in personality, memory lapses, and mood swings to more noticeable cognitive impairments, difficulties with motor functions, and sensory disruptions. The sooner a brain injury victim seeks medical treatment, the better their long-term outlook.
Internal Bleeding and Other Injuries
Another commonly overlooked injury is internal bleeding, in which damage to an internal organ or blood vessel causes blood to pool inside the body. These injuries are easy to miss in the initial adrenaline rush caused by an accident. But without prompt treatment, they could soon prove fatal.
Other common hidden injuries after a car accident include:
- Muscle injuries
- Shoulder injuries
- Knee injuries
- Whiplash
- Herniated discs
Psychological Injuries
While physical injuries following an accident are often immediately noticeable and treated, psychological injuries can be less obvious – yet equally damaging. Traumatic events can lead to emotional and psychological disturbances like anxiety, depression, mood swings, irritability, nightmares, or even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Some individuals may relive the traumatic event, avoid situations that remind them of the trauma, or experience heightened reactions to triggers. These conditions deeply affect an individual’s well-being and daily functioning, making it impossible to live their life as they once did.
How Can a Personal Injury Lawsuit Help?
Were you hurt in a car accident that someone else caused? Then you deserve to be compensated for all that you suffered. An attorney can help you pursue a lawsuit that could provide you with the money you need to pay for your medical treatment and offset any income you’ve lost while too hurt to work. A lawsuit can also compensate you for the intangible losses of your injury, like pain and suffering. Remember, some injuries that were overlooked at first might be difficult to connect to the accident. That’s where an attorney who has successfully handled similar cases in the past can prove especially helpful.
Contact a Georgia Personal Injury Lawyer for Help
At Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, PC, we’re ready to pursue the money you need to rebuild your life after a devastating car crash. Contact us today for a free consultation with a Duluth car accident lawyer.
