What to Expect Physically After a Car Accident

You may expect headaches, body aches, bruising, and pain after a car accident. In some cases, you should expect more severe physical symptoms based on the severity of your collision. 

Car accident injuries can vary from minor to severe and even deadly. Many crash victims don’t feel pain or discomfort from their injuries for days after a crash, so it can be challenging to know what to expect physically after a car accident.

If you’ve suffered major or minor injuries, an experienced Atlanta car accident lawyer can help you pursue the compensation you need to cover your medical treatment expenses.

What Should You Expect Physically After a Car Accident?

You might not feel pain from your injuries immediately after the crash, but there are several symptoms you should look out for in the hours and days after your crash. Seek medical advice from a trusted physician if you experience any of the following symptoms:

Headaches

Many people experience headaches after a car accident, but not always right away. You might not notice any head pain after a crash, but you could wake up the following day with a splitting headache.

If this happens, you may require emergency medical attention or at least a visit to your doctor.

Headaches after car accidents can be caused by:

• Anxiety
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• Concussions
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Shoulder or neck injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Whiplash

While headaches are common physical symptoms you should expect after a car accident, they may also be a sign of a more severe injury. If you develop a headache at any time after your car accident, it’s best to play it safe and get checked out by a medical professional.

Neck, Back, or Shoulder Pain

Shoulder, back, and neck pain are common after a car accident. Pain in these areas may occur suddenly and can be very noticeable when it does. The pain may occur in one spot, or you may experience shooting pain.

Either way, you should tell your doctor about neck, shoulder, or back pain, as you may require medical care. The following conditions may cause these types of pain:

• Injury to the joints, tendons, or muscles
• Muscle tension
• Neck injury
• Nerve or tissue damage
• Stress

Spinal injuries could also cause pain.

Bruising

Bruising is another common symptom you can expect to experience after a car accident. Bruises result from damage to the capillaries in your skin. Since it can take significant time for the blood in your capillaries to move to the surface layer of your skin, you might not develop bruises for some time after the collision.

Most bruising heals on its own, but serious car accidents can cause internal organ damage and soft-tissue injuries that need immediate medical attention. If you experience bruising, tenderness, or discoloration that doesn’t improve, seek medical care as soon as possible.

Numb or Tingling Sensations

You may experience numbness, pain, or tingling in your hands, back, neck, and other extremities if you suffered nerve or tissue damage in the collision. If you experience any of these symptoms, you’ll want to seek treatment from a trusted physician.

A doctor can provide effective treatment and discuss other physical symptoms you can expect after an auto accident. Meanwhile, a lawyer can explain how to make an injury claim for soft tissue damage after an accident in Atlanta.

Pain in the Abdomen or Stomach

Wearing a seatbelt during the crash probably put a lot of pressure on your body at the moment of impact. Sudden and forceful constriction of the abdomen and stomach can cause bruising and trauma.

You may experience pain or nausea if you suffer these health outcomes. If you still have lower abdominal pain long after a car accident, tell your doctor, and they will run tests to determine if you have internal injuries.

Swollen Extremities

Swelling is a very common physical car accident symptom that all crash victims should expect if they experience trauma to their bodies. Tissue damage, pulled muscles, sprains, and other injuries can cause swelling.

It’s important to note that swelling may take hours or days after a motor vehicle accident to appear. If you notice it, you should seek medical treatment immediately.

When a part of your body swells, you may experience pain and stiffness. Elevating the affected areas and applying ice can help reduce swelling and pain. However, you should still tell your doctor, as you may need additional medical attention or longer-term treatment, such as physical therapy.

Tinnitus

You may have tinnitus if you experience ear ringing after a collision. While tinnitus might not feel like a classic physical symptom you’d expect to experience after a car accident, it can indicate a serious bodily issue.

You could have a serious head injury if your ears are ringing after a crash. A doctor can provide the medical advice and treatment plan you need to protect yourself against injuries.

Having access to a high-quality medical team during this difficult time will help you understand your injuries and allow you to explore the right treatment plans. So, what should you expect physically after a car accident? The answer depends, but a doctor can help with your symptoms.

What Else Should You Expect After a Car Accident?

Car accidents have effects that go beyond the physical. Many car accident victims report:

Concentration and Memory Issues

Head trauma, psychological shock, and mental stress from a collision can cause brain fog and memory loss that make it challenging to remember things that you normally recall with ease.

While going to the doctor for concentration or memory issues after a collision might sound unusual, doing so can help you determine if you have a serious brain injury or mental health issue. A doctor can identify the root cause of the problem and provide the treatment you require.

Dizziness and Blurred Vision

Head injuries, PTSD, and other accident-related conditions can result in dizziness and blurry vision. It may take a significant amount of time from the day of your accident to develop blurred vision and dizziness, making it essential to look out for these symptoms.

If you experience them, don’t wait to see a doctor. They could indicate a deeper problem.

Psychological Issues

While most accident victims expect to experience physical injuries, they can also suffer from a wide range of emotional and mental conditions.

If you feel symptoms of anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues after the incident, you could be dealing with accident-induced emotional trauma or a concussion.

Your doctor can help you cope with all the aftereffects of a crash and tell you more about what to expect physically after a car accident. 

Why Does It Take a While for Injury Symptoms To Appear?

If you’ve been in a collision, you may experience shock and confusion during the immediate aftermath. You’ll probably be concerned about what to do next, how badly your vehicle is damaged, whether the other parties involved are badly injuries, and what kind of financial losses you’ll incur due to the incident.

After a serious traumatic event, your body also releases a considerable amount of adrenaline. Adrenaline is a helpful hormone that allows you to stay aware during dangerous situations but also masks pain. As a result, you might not feel the pain or discomfort from your injuries until your adrenaline levels return to normal.

Since the stress and adrenaline rush from a crash can cover up symptoms of severe injuries, it’s essential to stay aware of your body after the accident. Knowing what to expect physically after a car accident can help you identify if you might be suffering from an injury that requires medical attention.

How Long Can I Expect Physical Recovery to Take After a Car Accident?

This answer can vary widely depending on the severity of your accident and your injuries. A car accident injury can take days to weeks, months, or years to fully heal. Factors like age, health status, and treatment also play a large part.

Consulting with an experienced physician can help you better understand how long your injuries will take to heal. What type of doctor should you see after a car accident? The type of medical professional you need to visit can vary. 

Many doctors can prescribe medications, recommend physical therapy, and provide the guidance you need to improve your physical health after a car accident injury. Getting medical intervention quickly can reduce the time it takes to recover.

What You Can Do to Help Improve Your Recovery Time

If your doctor expects you will take a long time to recover from your car accident injuries, you might be interested in what you can do to speed up your recovery time. While some injuries may take a long time to heal no matter what you do, you can take the following steps to ensure your recovery is as quick as it can be:

• Get follow-up treatment right away
• Tell your doctor if you’re experiencing chronic pain or reduced range of motion
• Carefully follow your doctor’s advice
• Follow all recommended long-term treatments, such as physical therapy
• Get the amount of sleep your body needs to heal
• Stick to a healthy diet
• Do what you can to reduce stress

Taking these steps isn’t guaranteed to speed up your recovery time, but it can ensure you make as full a recovery as possible and potentially reduce the likelihood of long-term damage. Remember, only your doctor can offer the medical advice and treatment options that are right for you.

How Can I Get My Medical Bills Paid For After a Crash?

Working with an attorney can give you access to the resources you need to move forward after a collision. A car accident lawyer can deal with the insurance companies for you and negotiate with adjusters to obtain fair compensation on your behalf.

Having an attorney to handle your case will allow you to focus on healing, reducing stress, and being with your loved ones.

Whether your attorney secured compensation by filing a claim with the insurance provider or a lawsuit, they’ll aim to obtain the following damages:

• Current and future medical bills
• Cost of emergency medical treatment
• Cost of physical therapy and assistive devices
• Lost wages
• Vehicle repair expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Decreased earning ability
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Emotional distress

You can discuss your personal injury claim with an attorney today.

Learn More About the Physical Effects of a Crash

A doctor can advise you on what to expect physically after a car accident. That said, paying for medical appointments, rehabilitative therapy, and prescription medications can be incredibly expensive.

Fortunately, John Foy & Associates can help you pursue the compensation you need to afford treatment for a variety of common car accident injuries. No matter how mild, severe, or extensive your injuries are, our Atlanta personal injury lawyers can fight for the financial support you need to get back on your feet and back to your normal.

Contact our firm today to schedule a free consultation with a trusted lawyer. We have decades of experience helping accident victims like yourself and stand ready to take your call.