It is best practice to immediately go to a medical doctor for a checkup after an accident. No matter if it was a small rear-ending on the way to work or a slip-and-fall while out for dinner, it is possible you may have a hidden injury only initially noticeable through a doctor’s examination. Ranging in severity, hidden injuries can occasionally take days or even weeks to present themselves, by which time the treatments will often be longer and more expensive.
Don’t be embarrassed to get examined after an accident, even if you feel okay. You could be saving yourself the difference of severe medical complications and long-term side effects. Being injured due to somebody else’s negligence can feel embarrassing, but if you have suffered due to their recklessness, you deserve compensation. A dedicated and knowledgeable personal injury lawyer can help you navigate the aftermath of filing a claim and beginning the process of healing.
Additionally, even if nothing ends up being wrong with you it is still in your best interest to get a physical exam from a trusted medical provider. Such an exam will provide you with medical evidence that you are free and clear of any injuries. This could become very important in the future if you ever end up in a subsequent incident that causes you to suffer injuries. Insurance companies habitually blame prior traumatic events as the cause of your current injuries. You can defeat this insurance tactic by creating medical records right now that show that you are free of any injuries.
3 Signs You Have a Hidden Injury After an Accident
The rush of an accident can bring surges of adrenaline and fear, which can temporarily distract your mind and body from any new aches and pains. If you have recently been in an accident, it is vital you pay attention to your body and look out for the following three signs:
Lingering Headache
A small headache after an accident is normal. Your body has just undergone a traumatic stressor, and a natural reaction is pain in your head and neck. Make sure to drink plenty of water, take pain relief medicine, and try to relax.
Your headache can become a sign of a hidden injury when it lasts for longer than 12 hours or is causing other side effects like dizziness or nausea. If you have consumed lots of fluids, have eaten regularly, and tried regular pain killers and your headache is persistent, it can be a symptom of whiplash or different neck injury. Whiplash can take days to present itself and is one of the most common injuries related to motor vehicle accidents. An examination by your medical doctor can lead to professional treatments, including anti-inflammatory prescription drugs or even physical therapy.
Forgetfulness or Changes in Mood
Are you having a harder time than normal remembering basic tasks? Or have you found yourself angrier or sadder than is regular? If you have recently been a victim of an accident, these sudden changes in mood or memory can mean something larger is at play, like an internal brain injury. Usually undetectable to the eye, a brain injury is easily identified with an imaging test or neurological exam. Brain injuries can be extremely serious and should be checked out by a professional immediately.
Back Pains or Spasms
Back pains can come from various different activities, like exercising without properly stretching first, moving, sitting still for too long, or an accident. Treat your back pains and spasms like you would the headache, with preventative care and measures. If it persists longer than a day or is so severe you cannot do regular activities, it is vital you go to your doctor as soon as possible. Back pains can be severe and take lengthy treatments to recover from.
Pains and spasms can be indicators of different injuries, depending on the location. For example, higher back pain can be a side effect of an untreated shoulder injury, while lower back pain has been found to be correlated with your hips or knees.
Contact an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer to Retrieve Compensation
Don’t let your injuries go untreated. If you have been in an accident due to someone else’s negligent or reckless behavior, you are owed compensation. Feller & Wendt, LLC™ provides an unparalleled level of service, and will fight to protect your rights and bring your case to justice. Let us focus on building your claim while you rest and concentrate on recovery.
We have helped our local community for years and will do the same for you. We will even bring your case to court, if need be. For a free legal consultation today, please give our office a call at 801.499.5060 or fill out our contact form. A dedicated lawyer will walk you through your legal options for no charge.
