Unfortunately, car accidents happen every day and are a common occurrence of our time. Due to the intensity of a car accident and your body’s natural adrenaline, it may seem as though you are in good physical condition directly after the accident occurs. However, this may not be the case in the long run. Even minor car accidents can put a significant amount of stress on the body, and symptoms may not be noticeable until hours, days, or even weeks following the accident. This is why it’s important for those who have been in accidents to schedule an exam within days of the incident to reveal any injuries that your body may be hiding. 

Read to discover a few of the most common hidden injuries to look out for after being in a car accident:

 

Herniated discs 

When it comes to car accidents, neck and back pains are typically the most common and are generally referred to as “whiplash”. However, there can be instances when neck and back pains are more serious than you may think. Herniated disc injuries form due to trauma, such as car accidents. Discs are the circular structures that are located between the vertebrae in your spine, acting as cushions. When a significant amount of stress is put on a disc, it can cause the disc to herniate, meaning it gets pushed out of place, putting pressure on the nerves in your spine. This can cause severe pain and numbness that may occur right away, but also may not develop for weeks.

 

Knee injuries

It is extremely common for car accident victims to report knee injuries after being in a car accident.  Just about any type of impact has the potential to cause a knee injury whether it be a sprain, dislocation, fracture, etc. Knee injuries are typically caused by sudden twisting or force trauma that happens when you are in a car accident. Oftentimes, these injuries occur from knees undergoing impact with the dashboard, steering wheel, or any other hard surface in a car. However, because a knee injury is internal and typically not visible like a bad cut or bruise, they often go unnoticed for some time. Knee injuries that are left untreated have the potential to cause lasting pain, and it is important to seek treatment as soon as you can.

 

Traumatic brain injuries

When your head goes through the trauma of whipping back and forth or hitting a hard surface during a car accident, brain injuries can occur. The sudden change of posture combined with the blunt force of a collision can easily result in a concussion, which can cause dizziness, headaches, drowsiness, blurred vision, high sensitivity to noise, and much more. While traumatic brain injuries have a plethora of symptoms, it is common that the accident victim may not notice them right away. If you have been in a car accident and hit your head on a hard surface in the car such as an airbag, steering wheel, window, or dashboard, it is recommended to get checked by a doctor to ensure that there are no further underlying problems. 

 

Shoulder injuries

A shoulder injury is another common result of a car crash. Most of the time when people get into a car accident, they are jolted forward with great force. Since seat-belts only hold back one shoulder, it is not surprising that the shoulder undergoes a large amount of pressure when the collision occurs. Car accidents also often cause bodies to twist around in different directions, resulting in bruising, strains, or even torn muscles and tissue that require surgery. Shoulder injuries are known to grow worse over time if they are left untreated. Even if you do not suspect a serious issue following your accident, it is best to be safe and get yourself checked by a medical professional to prevent unwanted pain down the road.

 

Psychological injuries 

Car accidents are very traumatic and can cause victims to feel anxious for a long period. Just like bones and muscles, our emotional and psychological state can also be severely affected after undergoing trauma. Stress, sleeplessness, nightmares, and depression are all common side effects for those who have been through car accidents and are symptoms that may take a while to truly notice and understand. If you find yourself suffering from post-traumatic stress, it is important to seek psychological care as soon as you can.

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If you have been injured in an auto accident in New York and need more information, then we invite you to explore our site and get the help you deserve! Contact us to speak to one of our experts and learn what you can do to better your situation today.