Many car crash injuries are obvious. Someone with a cut on their scalp might overreact because lacerations to the head tend to bleed profusely even when they are relatively minor. Those with spinal cord injuries may not even be able to exit their vehicles. They know immediately that they require emergency medical care and that getting compensation in the future could be a challenge.
Other times, people can leave the scene of a crash unaware that they may have injuries that could cost them tens of thousands of dollars and affect their health indefinitely. Even serious injuries are easy to overlook in certain circumstances.
Stable fractures
Some broken bones are easy to identify. They are incredibly painful or visibly obvious. Other times, the bone remains in place and aligned. There is a single break in the bone, but the person can still use the affected body part. Stable fractures can worsen with little warning while performing household chores, employment tasks or exercises. A stable fracture requires evaluation by a medical professional for diagnosis before the condition worsens.
Brain injuries
Some people hit their heads on the steering wheel or the window during a car crash. Other times, vehicles move so violently that the brain shakes around in the skull and becomes injured. Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can produce permanent, life-altering symptoms. Many people don’t recognize the early warning signs of a TBI because it takes days for symptoms to develop. By the time they notice that something is wrong, their condition may have worsened substantially.
Internal bleeding
The restraint systems intended to keep someone in place in a vehicle and other parts of the vehicle can cause blunt-force trauma to an individual’s chest or abdomen. They may then begin bleeding internally without being aware of their injuries. They may think they just have a bruise when in reality they are experiencing a dangerous level of bleeding inside their abdomen or chest cavity. Internal bleeding can be life-threatening if not diagnosed in a timely fashion.
When car crashes are particularly violent, drivers may benefit from seeing a doctor to check for signs of invisible or easy-to-overlook injuries. Getting a proper diagnosis is the first step toward recovering medically and financially from the consequences of a crash.
