Why Every Car Accident Victim in Augusta Should See a Doctor Immediately
After a car accident, you may feel fine or only slightly shaken. But many injuries are not immediately obvious. Hidden injuries like whiplash, internal bleeding, or traumatic brain injury can take hours or days to show symptoms. Without a medical evaluation, these injuries can become serious or even life-threatening. In Georgia, delaying treatment can also weaken your personal injury claim. Getting checked by a doctor protects both your health and your right to fair compensation.
In this blog, you will learn why hidden injuries after a car accident are serious, how to recognize common delayed symptoms, and why seeking immediate medical care is critical when working with an experienced Augusta car accident lawyer to protect your health and legal rights.
Why Hidden Injuries Are Common After a Car Accident
Many injuries after a car accident are not immediately obvious. These hidden injuries can become serious if left untreated.
The Body’s Stress Response Masks Pain
After a car crash, the body releases adrenaline and endorphins. These chemicals dull pain and increase alertness. Because of this response, victims may not feel symptoms of internal injuries or soft tissue injuries right away. Neck pain, back injuries, and whiplash injury often appear hours or even days later.
Delayed Symptoms Are Normal
Injuries like herniated discs, spinal cord injury, or pinched nerves may not show signs until inflammation sets in. Symptoms such as shoulder pain, knee injuries, or chronic pain can worsen with time. Internal bleeding or other internal injuries may develop slowly and become life threatening if not treated quickly.
Soft Tissue Damage Takes Time to Appear
Soft tissue injuries involve muscles, tendons, and ligaments surrounding the bones. These are common car accident injuries. They can cause swelling, stiffness, and reduced range of motion. Common symptoms include pain in the affected area, bruising, and limited movement.
Head Injuries Are Not Always Obvious
A traumatic brain injury or concussion may not show clear symptoms at first. Signs such as memory loss, mood swings, or losing consciousness can develop later. Facial injuries caused by broken glass or hitting the steering wheel can also be missed if not checked by a doctor.
Emotional and Mental Injuries Often Go Unnoticed
Post traumatic stress disorder and emotional stress are frequent results of a traumatic event like a car crash. Victims may experience anxiety, sleep problems, or sudden mood changes. These mental health issues are real injuries and need proper treatment just like physical trauma.
Movement Can Make Hidden Injuries Worse
Victims who try to return to normal activity too soon may cause more severe injuries. A whiplash injury or back injury can worsen with strain. Some cases require surgical correction if soft tissue damage is ignored.
Early Medical Attention Is Critical
Seeing a doctor right after an accident helps detect hidden injuries. A medical evaluation can catch signs of internal bleeding, spinal cord damage, or other serious injuries. It also creates a medical record, which supports any personal injury or insurance claim later.
The Most Common Hidden Injuries and Their Symptoms
Some injuries from a car accident may not be visible right away but can cause serious problems if untreated. These are the most common hidden injuries and their signs.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue injuries affect muscles, tendons, and ligaments. These are some of the most common injuries after a car accident. Whiplash injury is a typical example. It can cause neck pain, stiffness, and reduced motion. Victims may also feel shoulder pain, swelling, or bruising. These injuries often appear hours or days after the crash.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
A traumatic brain injury can result from a sudden jolt or blow to the head during a car crash. Common symptoms include headaches, memory loss, mood swings, and difficulty concentrating. In severe cases, the person may lose consciousness. These signs may not show up immediately and can worsen over time.
Internal Injuries and Internal Bleeding
Internal injuries can happen when the body hits the steering wheel, dashboard, or seat belt during a collision. These injuries may cause abdominal pain, dizziness, or fainting. Internal bleeding is dangerous and may not be noticeable until it becomes severe. Other internal injuries can include damage to organs and blood vessels.
Spinal Cord and Back Injuries
Injuries to the spinal cord or back are common in car accidents. A herniated disc, pinched nerve, or spinal cord injury can cause severe symptoms like back pain, numbness, or weakness in the limbs. In some cases, these injuries may require surgical correction. Without early treatment, they can lead to long-term disability.
Knee and Shoulder Injuries
Sudden force during a crash can damage joints. Shoulder injuries can happen from seat belt pressure or impact with the car door. Knee injuries often occur when the knee strikes the dashboard. Symptoms include joint pain, limited movement, and swelling. Some of these injuries may need physical therapy or surgery.
Psychological Injuries
A car accident can also cause mental and emotional harm. Post traumatic stress disorder is common. Victims may have nightmares, anxiety, or fear of driving. Emotional stress can affect sleep, mood, and daily life. These mental health issues are real and should be treated by professionals.
Facial Injuries
Facial injuries often happen due to broken glass or contact with airbags. These may include cuts, bruises, broken bones, or dental injuries. In serious cases, facial trauma may lead to long-term pain or the need for reconstructive surgery. Some injuries may not be noticed right away if swelling is delayed.
Broken Bones and Crush Injuries
Broken bones and crush injuries can occur without open wounds. A victim may not feel pain immediately if the fracture is small. Over time, the pain can increase, and the area may swell. Crush injuries, often involving the legs or arms, can damage muscles and nerves and may require surgery.
Early symptoms of these injuries may be mild, but they can become serious without proper treatment. A medical evaluation is the best way to identify them after a car crash.
The Dangers of Delaying Medical Evaluation
Waiting to get medical attention after a car accident can lead to more severe injuries and make legal recovery harder.
Hidden Injuries Can Worsen Quickly
Some injuries after a car accident, like internal bleeding or soft tissue injuries, are not obvious at first. Without treatment, they can become life threatening. A whiplash injury may lead to chronic pain. A herniated disc can press on nerves and limit movement. Delaying care increases the chance of complications and longer recovery.
Insurance Companies May Use the Delay Against You
Insurance adjusters often look for reasons to deny or reduce a personal injury claim. A gap between the accident and the medical visit gives them a reason to argue the injury is not related to the crash. Getting a medical evaluation right away builds a clear link between the accident and your injuries.
Legal Protection Depends on Early Action
Under Georgia law, victims have two years to file a personal injury claim. Still, the strength of that claim depends on documentation. A doctor’s report taken soon after the accident supports your case. Waiting too long can lead to questions about the cause and severity of the injuries.
Symptoms May Be Overlooked Without a Doctor
Some symptoms like shoulder pain, abdominal pain, or mood swings can seem minor at first. A trained medical professional can detect signs of serious problems such as traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, or other internal injuries. Early diagnosis allows for proper treatment and can prevent permanent damage.
Delayed Treatment Can Lead to Surgery
Without early care, some injuries may worsen to the point where surgical correction is needed. A simple back injury can turn into a condition that affects daily life. In more severe cases, untreated damage can cause limb loss or permanent disability. Seeing a doctor right after a crash helps avoid these outcomes.
Contact an Experienced Augusta Car Accident Attorney ASAP!
If you were hurt in a car accident, do not wait to get medical care. Hidden injuries can get worse without treatment and may affect your claim. Our team at Horst Shewmaker is here to help you understand your options and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Contact us at (404) 400-1175 for a free case consultation today!
