5 Delayed Injuries After a San Antonio Car Accident — What to Look for

At Carabin Shaw, we always recommend getting checked out by a medical professional after a car accident, even if you don’t think you’re hurt. There’s a good reason.

Oftentimes, injuries make themselves obvious right away after you get in a car accident. Swelling, bleeding, pain, etc. But sometimes you can suffer a serious injury and not know it. These are what are commonly referred to as “delayed injuries.” Delayed injuries may appear days, weeks, or months after your accident.

Back Pain

One of the most common delayed injuries is back pain. When the impact of a car accident puts pressure on the spine, it can cause many injuries, such as:

• slipped disks,
• herniated disks,
• soft tissue damage,
• sprains,
• cervical vertebrae fractures,
• and compression fractures.

Lower back pain is very common after a car accident and can indicate one of these injuries. Other symptoms include mobility issues, stiffness, dull aches, or sharp, stabbing pain.

Headaches

Headaches after an auto accident can indicate a very serious injury. Don’t wait for symptoms to worsen: if you were in a car accident recently and are experiencing headaches, seek medical attention ASAP.

Collision-related headaches can stem from whiplash, concussion, or TBI, which are all very common after a car accident. If your head hits the interior of your car during an accident, the impact could cause trauma to your neck and head. If the impact causes your brain to move inside your skull, it could cause a traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Emotional or Behavioral Changes

Subtle behavioral or emotional changes after a car accident can also indicate a major injury. If you were in a car accident and start to notice behavioral changes, such as:

• Memory problems,
• Irritability,
• Difficulty concentrating,
• Sudden mood swings,
• Anxiety,
• Depression,

this could indicate a brain injury (TBI or concussion) or PTSD.

Learn about how PTSD can affect your child after an auto accident.

Abdominal Pain

A car accident can result in blunt trauma to your abdomen. This can cause a life-threatening condition that may not immediately appear. If, after a car accident, you experience any of these concerning symptoms, go to the doctor right away as your life may be in danger:

• Abdominal Pain
• Swelling
• Fainting Spells
• Dizzyness
• Bruising.

All of these are symptoms of internal bleeding. While it may not make itself apparent to you until hours or days after the accident, it must be treated as soon as you notice symptoms.

Numbness and Tingling

Numbness and tingling or complete loss of feeling in the hands and feet can indicate several types of injury, including:

• Spinal Cord Damage,
• TBI,
• Whiplash,
• Nerve Damage,
• or Herniated Disks.

These sensations can be a precursor to paralysis. Immediately call 911 or go to the ER if you experience this symptom after a recent car accident.

Can You Prove an Injury With Delayed Symptoms?

If you didn’t know you were injured until days or weeks after your accident, all hope is not lost. As soon as you notice symptoms after your accident, seek medical attention. Then, contact an experienced personal injury attorney in San Antonio.

Proving your injury was the result of the accident is difficult, but it’s not impossible with an experienced team on your side.

Carabin Shaw has represented delayed injury cases in San Antonio for 30 years, and we put our clients first. Contact us today for a free case evaluation at 800-862-1260 or use the live chat at the bottom right of your screen. We look forward to serving you.

Contacting a Carabin Shaw attorney is free and does not obligate you to work with the firm.