Soreness, tension, stiffness, pain, and other discomfort are common following car accidents. In some cases, you may experience a delayed onset of pain, which might mean you have more serious injuries that are not immediately apparent following the accident. If you experience pain after a car accident in Dallas, seek medical attention immediately and consult with an experienced Dallas car accident lawyer from Shamieh Law to pursue compensation.
Pain from injuries can manifest immediately, hours, or days following a car accident. The delay is sometimes due to inflammation, shock, and adrenaline dulling the pain caused by your injuries. Some injuries, such as internal bleeding and whiplash, may not cause pain until their effects accumulate.
It is critical to be examined by a medical professional when experiencing delayed pain after a car accident. That pain may be a sign of a more severe underlying injury. Getting medical attention as soon as possible also helps you preserve the evidence you need to seek compensation for your injuries and losses.
The faster you receive a diagnosis, the more quickly you can determine if you have a viable car accident lawsuit. The car accident attorneys at Shamieh Law can help gather the evidence you need to seek compensation from the at-fault party and their insurers. You can count on us to provide the high-quality, individualized legal representation you deserve.
Is It Common To Be Sore After a Car Accident?
It is very common to be sore after a car accident. The injuries you may sustain largely correlate with the impact sequence of car accidents. Though an accident can unfold in a matter of seconds, the sequence can be broken down into three phases:
- Phase One – The first phase occurs immediately upon impact, such as when two vehicles collide. Drivers and passengers are thrown forward, sometimes violently. This can lead to injuries, such as whiplash.
- Phase Two – The second phase happens when the cars lurch to a stop. This causes people to suffer injuries caused by seat belts, airbags, steering wheels, windshields, or being thrown from the vehicle.
- Phase Three – The third phase occurs when internal body structures experience trauma. For example, a fractured rib may puncture a lung or spleen.
Given the weight of the average motor vehicle and the force generated by collisions, it is no surprise that you feel pain ranging from mild to severe after car accidents. Pain may last a few days or weeks but may persist for months and even years if you are seriously injured. Again, your pain symptoms may not appear until some time has passed after the accident.
If your immediate or delayed pain leads to damages, such as medical bills and lost wages, consult a knowledgeable car accident attorney from Shamieh Law. We have extensive experience handling car accident cases. If your accident was caused at little or no fault of your own, the responsible party can be liable for compensating you.
Is It Common To Be Sore After a Car Accident?
A recent study reported chronic widespread pain in 27 percent of people who went to the emergency room after auto accidents. Twelve percent still had widespread pain after six weeks, and 10 percent after one year.
Of course, how long your pain lasts will depend on the severity of your injuries and whether you develop other associated conditions. For example, many car accidents result in minor sprains, strains, and bruises that only cause pain for a few days to a week.
It is also common to experience back pain after car accidents, though you may not experience the onset of pain right away. Back pain may resolve in a few weeks but can also persist for years when caused by serious injuries. Similarly, neck pain after a car accident (e.g., from a whiplash injury) usually resolves within a few weeks to a few months, but more severe cases can cause pain for much longer.
How long you experience chest pain after a car accident depends on your specific injury. Your pain may be caused by a fractured rib, bruises from a seat belt, internal organ damage, and much more. Again, pain from these injuries could resolve in a few weeks or take much longer. To illustrate, consider a fractured rib, which generally takes at least six weeks to fully heal.
It is worth reemphasizing that some serious injuries may be immediately apparent, such as internal bleeding. For example, trauma to the liver or spleen due to a car accident can cause delayed abdominal pain and swelling that worsen as the bleeding continues. You may also experience latent problems like blood clots that develop later due to your other injuries.
What Are the Most Common Injuries That Cause Pain After a Car Accident?
Injuries from car accidents range from mild to severe and can affect any area of your body. Some of the more common car accident injuries we see in our personal injury practice include:
- Neck injuries, such as whiplash
- Back and spinal cord injuries, including pinched nerves, pulled muscles, damaged discs, and fractured vertebrae
- Concussions and other traumatic brain injuries
- Facial trauma, such as broken noses and tooth damage
- Chest injuries, such as fractured collarbones and ribs
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
- Broken and fractured bones
- Shoulder injuries, such as dislocations
- Psychological distress, such as posttraumatic stress disorder
In some accidents, people experience a pattern of injuries sometimes known as “seat belt syndrome.” These injuries can include a combination of bruises, broken ribs, cervical damage, liver and spleen lacerations, and damage to other organs. Similarly, you may experience injuries and pain caused by airbag deployment in a car accident.
If your injuries were caused by a seatbelt or airbag defect, you may have a product liability lawsuit against the manufacturer on your hands. You can also recover compensation for your injuries by filing a claim against the at-fault driver and their insurer.
Symptoms To Worry About When You Have Pain After a Car Accident
Normally, your pain after a car accident should improve as your injuries heal. However, worsening pain is normally a sign of a more severe medical problem, which is why it is so important to seek medical attention immediately.
Symptoms may include:
- Nausea or vomiting may indicate a concussion or other brain trauma.
- Stomach pain may be caused by internal bleeding or organ damage.
- Fainting may be caused by head trauma or internal bleeding.
- Disorientation, dizziness, headaches, mood swings, and memory loss may be signs of a concussion or other traumatic brain injury.
- Numbness or tingling may be a sign of nerve damage.
- Stiffness in the neck, shoulder, or back.
- Swelling and inflammation could indicate a blood clot, tissue damage, or an undetected fracture.
No matter how insignificant they may seem, do not ignore the symptoms that accompany your pain following a car accident. Seek medical attention immediately. Tell your doctor the details of your accident, where you initially felt pain, and whether it has worsened over time.
Remember to keep all your medical records from your initial and follow-up visits to your doctor. They will become key evidence if you pursue damages for your car accident pain and injuries.
Seek Legal Help for Severe Pain After a Dallas Car Accident
While some car accidents result in only minor injuries, others result in severe pain, overwhelming medical expenses, lost wages, and emotional distress. You may notice the full impact of your injuries until hours, days, or even weeks after your accident.
A car accident lawyer from Shamieh Law can help if you’ve experienced serious injuries and pain after a car accident caused at little to no fault of your own. Contact us for a free case evaluation by calling or completing our online contact form.
