blog home Car Accidents What Hidden Injuries Can You Get from a Car Crash?

What Hidden Injuries Can You Get from a Car Crash?

By Jason Bottlinger on October 10, 2023

Motor vehicle collisions can cause a wide range of injuries, and not all of them are immediately apparent. While broken bones, deep cuts, and other visible injuries may be evident after a crash, other types of injuries may take hours, days, or weeks for symptoms to manifest. Victims of motor vehicle collisions can suffer hidden injuries, including whiplash, concussions and traumatic brain injuries, internal organ damage, and other soft tissue injuries. It is essential to know how to recognize and address these hidden car crash injuries.

Understanding Whiplash

Whiplash is one of the most common hidden injuries in wrecks, particularly rear-end collisions. It is a neck injury caused by forceful, rapid, back-and-forth movement of the head and neck, like the cracking of a whip. The onset of signs and symptoms can be delayed — they may not develop until hours or days after a crash. Common whiplash symptoms include:

• Neck pain and stiffness
• Worsening pain with neck movement
• Loss of range of motion in the neck
• Tenderness or pain in the shoulders, upper back, or arms
• Numbness or tingling in the arms
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Fatigue

Some car crash victims experience long-lasting whiplash complications, including chronic neck pain. Many who are injured in an auto accident continue to have pain for months or years after an injury. Long-term whiplash complications can significantly impact a victim’s well-being and quality of life.

Concussions and Traumatic Brain Injury

The force of impact in a car crash can cause the head to strike an object or jolt the head and body, causing the brain to hit the inside of the skull and damage delicate tissue. Moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) can cause long-term complications, including difficulty thinking, communicating, and understanding; motor skill problems; confusion and irritability; and problems with impulse control and depression. Symptoms of TBI are not always immediately apparent after a collision. They may manifest days, weeks, or months later.

Soft Tissue Injuries Beyond Whiplash

Injuries to muscles, tendons, ligaments, and other soft tissues are common in traffic crashes. They include sprains, strains, and contusions. Signs of soft tissue injuries include soreness, swelling, discoloration, and limited range of motion. Symptoms can begin 24 to 48 hours after a collision.

Internal Organ Damage

Damage to the internal organs is one of the most severe hidden car crash injuries. Internal injuries can be life-threatening and often require surgery. Immediately after a collision, adrenaline and shock can mask victims’ injuries. They may experience no pain at first and later be in agony. Internal organ damage can cause nausea, fatigue, light-headedness, cramps, weakness, anemia, and severe pain. It is crucial to see a doctor as soon as possible after a traffic crash and be examined for internal injuries.

Why Hidden Injuries Are Problematic

A collision transfers significant force through the body. Victims can sustain injuries hidden by the body and feel no pain for hours, days, or even weeks. Hidden injuries are problematic because of the lack of immediate symptoms, the difficulty in diagnosis, and the potential long-term consequences.

If left untreated, hidden injuries can be substantial and long-lasting. It is essential to seek medical attention after a car crash to ensure immediate medical evaluation, monitoring of your symptoms over time, and proper documentation of your injuries for legal purposes. After receiving professional treatment for your injuries, speak with an experienced Omaha car accident lawyer to handle your claim for compensation.

Helping You Get Justice for Your Injuries After a Car Accident in Omaha

Jason Bottlinger, founding attorney of Bottlinger Law L.L.C., has been practicing law for over 15 years. He brings considerable skill and years of experience to the table. When you work with our Omaha firm, you can expect personalized service, experience, diligence, and compassion.

We offer a free initial consultation to discuss your case. Contact us at (402) 505-8234 to learn more about how we can help.