If you can walk away after a car accident without any catastrophic or traumatic injuries, you may consider yourself lucky! Even if you feel ok after exchanging information and speaking with the police, it’s always best to check in with yourself! With your adrenaline pumping in the aftermath, your brain may not immediately register the pain signals coming from your body. Oftentimes, many people who have been in a car accident experience delayed pain days, weeks or even months after the accident occurred. This is why it is extremely important to do yourself a favor and catch the injuries before they get worse. That’s where we come in.
Check the Signs
Ignoring a new ache or pain after a car accident and hoping it will go away is not smart. Even minor symptoms can be an indication of a more significant problem.
Receiving a complete and thorough evaluation is critical to discovering any injuries early. The earlier you find the problems, the faster you can receive the best care and treatment to recover.
The following symptoms often have delayed pain onset and may not appear for hours (or even days) after an auto accident:
- Headaches: A concussion, neck injury, mild traumatic brain injury, or whiplash can lead to chronic headaches after a car accident. Don’t dismiss a headache or dizziness until it’s been adequately evaluated by a doctor.
- Back pain: Pain in your back following a car accident can take hours or days to surface. This could be a sign of a spinal disc, soft tissue or whiplash injury.
- Neck/Shoulder Pain: If you notice pain in your neck, shoulders, or arms it may be a sign of whiplash or spinal injury.
What Next?
Delayed pain or onset of symptoms after a car accident is quite common. It doesn’t mean that you’re “making it up.” The stress of a car accident can make it difficult to truly assess how you feel minutes after the event. It takes time for swelling and inflammation to begin, and if you notice pain hours or days after your auto accident, don’t dismiss it. Get a proper evaluation as soon as you can. Doing so has the potential to make a massive difference in your quality of life!
