Amid the initial shock of an auto accident, you might assume you have no injuries because you experienced no obvious symptoms at the time of impact. Some automobile accident injuries are immediate, but others might not be apparent until well after the collision.
If you’ve recently been in an auto accident, Takura Tela, DC, of True Kings Healthcare in Rockville, Maryland, recommends you get a full evaluation, even if you aren’t experiencing any discomfort. This makes it easier to treat any injuries before they become an aggravation.
Find out about five common injury symptoms that might be delayed after an auto accident, and the treatments that relieve them.
Why are auto accident injuries sometimes delayed?
Injuries frequently result from auto accidents, even if you were traveling at a low speed at the time of the collision. Auto accidents at any speed can put significant, sudden, and unnatural force on your body.
After an auto accident, your body is in a state of shock that keeps you from feeling the immediate impact of your collision. This means you might not realize the full extent of the accident’s impact until weeks or even months after it happened.
5 commonly delayed auto accident injuries
Here are five common symptoms to look out for after an accident that might not appear immediately.
1. Whiplash
Whiplash is a neck injury you experience when your neck is rapidly and forcefully whipped back and forth. It’s a common injury after any auto accident, especially if you’re rear-ended.
Whiplash causes neck pain, neck stiffness, dizziness, and reduced mobility in your neck. It can cause damage to your neck tissues as well as to your cervical vertebrae.
2. Back injuries
Auto accidents put significant force on your back. This can lead to back pain and injuries with delayed symptoms, including injuries to the tissues, vertebrae, discs, and nerves.
3. Head injuries
Whiplash and direct impact collisions can cause you to develop a concussion, dizziness, or headaches. Some auto accident-related head injuries result in minimal to no symptoms but still cause significant internal damage if they’re not treated.
4. Strains and sprains
Some injuries, such as fractures, are apparent on impact, but sprains and strains can be more subtle and take more time to detect. You can suffer sprains or strains anywhere in your body from an auto accident.
5. Joint injuries
Collisions can cause injuries to any of your joints, including shoulders, knees, hips, and elbows. This includes dislocations and fractures.
Evaluating and treating auto accident injuries
You should always make an appointment with Dr. Tela after an auto accident, regardless of whether you have symptoms.
Dr. Tela performs a thorough evaluation to see if you have any injuries from your accident, providing you with peace of mind if there are no injuries — or a treatment plan if there are.
Your individualized treatment plan depends on the type and severity of your injuries. It likely includes some combination of chiropractic care, physical therapy, and home care. Dr. Tela monitors your progress through a series of appointments to ensure your injuries are healing.
If you’ve recently been in an auto accident, book online or call us at True Kings Healthcare to schedule your evaluation.
