While some personal injuries are immediately noticeable following an accident, others may slip by unnoticed for a period of time. Here are some common injuries following a personal injury accident to look for:
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is an emotional and psychological reaction to any event that was frightening and/or resulted in bodily harm. It is a physical reaction produced by your body that cannot be controlled and may show up several days after the injurious event. Symptoms may include a heightened startle reflex, sudden flashbacks of the event, trouble sleeping, sudden emotional outbursts including fits of anger, and a general feeling of uneasiness and wariness. This disorder may go undiagnosed and untreated in many people suffering from a personal injury.
- Head Trauma. Many personal injury accidents involve some type of injury to the head. Initial tests may show little or no injury to the brain, but internal bleeding and soft tissue swelling can alter the test results at a later date. Following a personal injury accident, you should monitor the accident victim for at least 48 hours for confusion, slowed speech, sleepiness, uncoordinated movements, memory loss, blurred vision, or any unusual behaviors. These actions could indicate the presence of a serious brain injury, and should be evaluated at your nearest Emergency Room.
- Back and Neck Injuries. The spinal cord is a vital part of the body and this elaborate system of nerves, bones, and soft tissues provides an endless source of potential problems following a traumatic event. Not all back and neck injuries are evident immediately following an accident, especially when an adrenaline response is evoked during the accident. The victim should be examined for injury immediately following the accident and again 12 to 24 hours later. After a few hours, neck and back injuries that were previously hidden by the body’s flight or fight response and soft tissue swelling may become more evident.
- Broken Bones. Broken bones are not always easy to spot. Sometimes a very small crack that goes undetected on an x-ray can grow under pressure or usage and splinter in the days following an accident. Many physicians recommend that patients take it easy for a few days following an accident to allow the body to heal any small injuries that could potentially become serious problems.
- Internal Bleeding. Internal bleeding can occur with even small accidents and the effects are not always easily identifiable Bleeding around or from an organ, like the kidney, spleen, lung, or heart, may not be noticeable for several hours or even days after the accident. If the body fails to stop the bleeding on its own, surgical or pharmacological intervention may be necessary to save the organ. In addition, the patient may need to receive extra blood or fluids through an IV to help replace what was lost in the trauma.
These five common injuries can significantly affect the personal injury victim’s life and should be monitored for in the hours and days following an accident. It’s always best to seek medical evaluation immediately following an accident, even if you think you feel fine. The body’s response to stress can hide symptoms until hours after the trauma and early treatment can prevent complications and lead to faster healing.
IF YOU, OR A LOVED ONE, HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT – CALL TODAY FOR A FREE CONSULTATION!
