People recognize that they need to check themselves and the other occupants of their vehicles for signs of injury in the event of a crash. They also know that they need to report the crash to the authorities and check on the people in the other vehicles involved as well.
Unfortunately, the cursory exam that people perform on themselves after a car crash might not result in an accurate self-diagnosis. People frequently overlook injuries that could affect their lives for many months and cost them thousands of dollars.
Internal bleeding
There are a variety of ways for people to develop internal bleeding after a car crash. Some people have seatbelt syndrome because of where their restraints fall on their bodies. They may have bleeding in the chest or abdomen. Those that strike vehicle components, including the steering wheel, are also at risk of internal bleeding. People may not notice internal bleeding at first until their blood loss reaches a dangerous point or the accumulated fluid starts affecting their function. People may require a physical examination by a doctor to check them for signs of internal bleeding after a crash.
Stable fractures and spinal injuries
Traumatic injuries like broken bones and spinal cord injuries are often instantly evident after a crash. Collisions are so powerful that fractures are often quite severe and therefore obvious. Spinal cord injuries are frequently complete injuries, meaning that people will experience and immediate loss of sensation and motor control. However, sometimes people have stable injuries.
The bone only breaks in one place and remains properly aligned. They can continue walking or using their arms until over-exertion or secondary trauma displaces the fractured bone. Something similar can happen with incomplete spinal cord injuries. People may notice some changes in sensation or motor function but still be able to move on their own until something worsens their injury and leads to a permanent loss of function and sensation.
Traumatic brain injuries
There are a variety of different ways for people to hurt their brains during car crashes. Violent motions and blunt force trauma, as well as penetrating injuries caused by broken glass, can all damage the brain. Often, the bruising or bleeding inside the skull will need to continue for multiple days before the symptoms become severe enough for people to seek medical attention.
Anyone involved in a crash at high speeds or that is otherwise severe enough to require that they tow their vehicle to a shop would likely benefit from a medical review to check them for these and other easy-to-overlook injuries. Identifying car crash injuries as soon as possible can help to safeguard a crash victim’s well-being and can make it easier for them to get compensation from an at-fault party after a wreck.