Have you recently experienced an automobile accident? You might not think that it is a big deal at the time, but you can experience some serious symptoms down the road.
Serious injuries are unfortunately far more common than we would like to believe. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports that there are 29.2 million emergency room visits for unintentional injuries every year. Of course, the figure is even higher when you consider injuries that are deliberately caused, such as suicide attempts or aggravated assault. However, car accidents are by far the most common cause of emergency room visits. They account for nearly a fifth of all ER visits.
There are a number of reasons that it is important to track and manage your symptoms carefully. You might have a valid case if you want to sue the responsible party. As the experts at Lampert Walsh point out, your judgment or settlement will be a lot higher if you can accurately demonstrate the extent of your injuries.
What symptoms should you look out for after an injury?
You are bound to experience some discomfort after any injury. However, some symptoms are going to be more concerning than others. You need to pay close attention to the following symptoms, because they could be a sign of a serious issue that needs urgent attention.
Foggy thinking
Are you having trouble thinking clearly after your accident? This is a common symptom for people that have endured any type of a head injury from a car accident. It could be a sign that you have suffered hemorrhage or brain swelling.
You should seriously consider seeing a neurologist. They can perform a CAT scan or other tests to see if there are any obvious injuries that need to be treated.
Abdominal discomfort
Abdominal discomfort is a common problem that everybody suffers from. It can be caused by everything from bloated gas to internal bleeding.
If you are experiencing abdominal discomfort, you need to figure out when it started. You probably don’t have to worry too much if it occurred consistently before your injury and hasn’t gotten worse. On the other hand, pain in your abdominal region after a car accident or other injury should be looked at right away. It could be a serious sign of internal bleeding that could be life-threatening if it progresses.
Back pain
Back pain is a very common problem that people experience after many accidents. There are 5.5 million car accidents in the United States every year and back pain is the most common symptom.
It is easy to dismiss back pain as a temporary symptom, especially if it does not seem severe at the time. The problem is that it could be an indication that you have endured an injury that will worsen. You might have a fractured vertebra or a ruptured disc that does not seem too bad yet. Unfortunately, these problems are likely to just get worse. You need to see a doctor and have them resolved.
Numbness in your limbs
You need to also pay close attention to any sensations of numbness. You might not have as much feeling in your arms or legs as you used to. This could be a sign that you have a compressed nerve, brain swelling or other neurological damage.
What should you do if you experience any of these symptoms?
You need to get prompt medical care if you seem to have any symptoms of a serious injury. The problems are likely to just get worse over time.
There is another reason that you need to know if you have a worse in trade than you expected. You might be in the process of fighting a lawsuit against the person responsible for your injury. You need to make sure that you are properly compensated for all of your medical bills, as well as any long-term pain and suffering. The worst thing that you can do is ignore symptoms and be in denial of the extent of your injuries. You will almost certainly get a larger payout if you document your injuries, especially with supporting medical records.
