While just about anything can happen in a vehicle collision, there are three types of injuries that you are most likely to sustain in an accident. It will be worthwhile then to understand what the symptoms of these injuries are, and when you should seek medical help. You should also be aware of when you are entitled to compensation for such injuries. Here then is an examination of the three most frequent car accident injuries: whiplash, headache, and soft tissue damage.
Whiplash is the term we non-doctors use to describe the most common type of soft tissue injury. Rear-end accidents are one of the top reasons that anyone sustains whiplash. In any car crash, when your vehicle is forced to a violent stop, your body keeps going, until your seatbelt or steering wheel thrusts you back against the seat. What happens to your neck is known as sudden extension and flexion; basically your neck is snapped back and forth. This can injure muscles and tendons around the neck, as well as ligaments and even vertebrae. The thing about this injury is that you may not realize you have it until a whole day has passed.
If you feel pain or stiffness in your neck, if this sensation spreads to your shoulders and limbs, if you are woozy, or if your neck feels like it is burning, then any of these could indicate that you have whiplash. If you have a serious case of whiplash, then this could be manifested in symptoms such as amnesia, lack of focus, troubling sleeping, exhaustion, and more. If you have not already done so after the accident, you should go to a doctor if you have any of the above symptoms. This injury can last a few weeks, or it can linger for months, causing a great deal of suffering. Especially if your profession requires a lot of activity, you may be unable to perform at your job. You could also have to pay for therapy and medical treatment. For this, you may need and be entitled to compensation.
Headaches result from a number of incidents and problems, and of course you would have a headache after your two-ton vehicle was rammed into by another two-ton car. Headaches are not supposed to last longer than a couple of days though. If after an accident, you have a headache that is lingering longer than it should, then you should go see a doctor. This is a typical symptoms of grave injuries. It is best to go to a doctor as soon as possible after a car accident so that no injuries go undetected for too long. The sooner you get treatment, the better your chances are. Also, if you want an insurance adjustor, judge, or jury to take your injuries seriously, then you should too.
Finally, soft tissue injury refers to damage inflicted on muscles, tendons, ligaments, etc. Your soft tissue can be bruised, sprained (namely a joint or ligament), torn, or strained (a tendon or muscle). The problem with these injuries is that they are internal and cannot show up on an X-ray. You might discern that you have such an injury if you have trouble moving a limb, if a joint is painful, or if a muscle aches. These injuries can last a week, or they can last for what seems like forever. It is always a good idea to go to the doctor's. Professional medical help may be the quickest way to recovery, and these medical records can also establish proof that you are owed compensation.
Learn more about your legal options when you contact a car accident lawyer. With legal representation, you may be able to receive the full amount that you are due from insurance coverage, a settlement, or a jury award. Find a legal expert today!