Car accidents occur on a daily basis. These accidents can involve fender benders, where the parties involved walk away with a dented car, with just minor bumps and bruises. Other accidents are so severe that they total cars and cause broken bones, burns, and severe neck and back pain.
When you ignore symptoms of an injury – such as soreness, neck or shoulder stiffness, back pain, numbness, or headaches – and fail to see a doctor promptly, you delay treatment and may create additional complications. It is best to visit a physician within 24 hours of the accident. By seeking immediate medical treatment, you will aid early identification of potential issues that could become more serious over time. Early evaluation can ensure you are properly diagnosed and treated.
The most common type of car accident is when one or both parties involved don’t seem to be injured or the injuries appear to be minor. But, as they say, things do not always appear as they seem. Symptoms of a serious injury may only become apparent very slowly over time.
Car accidents are a common cause of “invisible injuries,” or injuries not apparent to the naked eye, and can result in internal injuries that get progressively worse over time.
Whiplash is one of the most common injuries that occur in vehicle accidents. And it can take days, weeks, or even months to appear.
Whiplash occurs when you are exposed to the impact of the vehicle hit, and your head suddenly jerks forward, backward, or sideways. We may not be aware of whiplash at the moment, or just after it occurs, but it puts a great deal of pressure on the joints, muscles, and ligaments in the neck and back. It can lead to sprains or strains, headaches, and if severe enough, concussions, possible brain injury, or permanent brain damage.
After a car accident, you may still be in shock. Car accidents can seem to happen so quickly that you never really know what happened to your body.
Soreness is common, but again, symptoms can take some time to develop and appear, so you may not be aware that something much more significant is brewing. If left untreated, the injuries sustained in a car accident can be life-altering, causing pain, loss of mobility and function. This is why you should seek medical treatment immediately after an accident.
If you have been in an accident, minor or severe, the importance of seeking immediate medical attention is paramount. To receive treatment for your injuries due to a car accident, call Delaware Back Pain & Sports Rehabilitation Centers to make an appointment at any of our seven locations in Delaware, or submit an online appointment request form.
