In some accidents, pain is instant. The impact of another vehicle striking your car can lead to serious injury and acute pain. In these situations, you may need life-saving medical care or at least urgent medical support. Other types of injuries may be less obvious and may cause serious pain that takes longer to develop.
Knowing what to do if you experience delayed pain after an accident is critical. That pain is an indication of an injury that could be worsening and may put your health at risk. Talk to a Nashville car accident attorney today.
Types of Injuries Resulting in Delayed Pain
Not every injury you have results in an open wound or a broken bone that creates an obvious outcome. Some accident injuries develop over time, often slowly under the skin and deep within tissues. These injuries are still worrisome, and some can have life-threatening outcomes. If you have delayed pain that develops in the hours or even days after an accident, it could be due to one of these injuries:
- Whiplash: Pain in the neck, shoulders, and head may be the result of whiplash, a condition that causes significant damage to the muscles, ligaments, and tendons located in the neck. It happens because the force from the impact causes rapid back-and-forth movement, straining those areas. The pain may not be immediately evident but can develop in the days after the accident.
- Soft tissue injuries: These injuries often include sprains and strains. They can occur due to contusions of the tissues and muscles within the body. You may feel stiffness or a lack of possible movement. Some people also develop intensifying pain due to inflammation and water retention.
- Head injuries: The brain tissue is very delicate, and the rapid back-and-forth movement of the head after an accident can cause the brain to slam into the interior of the skull, causing contusions. Over time, this can lead to concussions as well as brain tissue damage. Our Nashville brain injury attorney can help in these cases.
- Internal bleeding: The impact from any type of hard surface, such as the steering wheel or the pavement, can cause damage to the blood vessels, tissues, and organs within your body. Slow injuries are easy to notice, but they can also be some of the most risky if not caught in time.
- Blood clots: Blood vessel damage in various areas of the body, as well as immobility after an accident, can allow blood clots to form. These clots can cause serious pain in the area where they block blood flow. They are highly dangerous and can lead to a serious risk of stroke or heart attack.
What to Do Now with Delayed Pain After an Accident?
If you experience any of these types of pains, there is only one step to take: Go to the hospital. Emergency care is essential in these situations since there is already a prolonged risk of injury that you may have to deal with for the rest of your life. Even if you believe you are just sore, medical care is a critical investment to rule out unknown injuries that could be causing internal injuries.
If someone else caused your injuries due to the accident, seek out the help of a personal injury attorney as well. Your Nashville injury lawyer will help you demonstrate how the other party is responsible for the losses you have.