A car accident can be a traumatic experience, both physically and mentally. While it’s easy to see the physical injuries that occur from a car accident, such as broken bones or cuts and bruises, invisible injuries can also occur as a result.
Below are some types of injuries that may not be immediately apparent but can significantly impact your well-being.
Whiplash
Whiplash is an injury to the neck that occurs when the head is suddenly jerked forward and backward. This often occurs in rear-end collisions. Whiplash symptoms can include neck pain, headaches and stiffness. Unfortunately, these symptoms may not appear immediately, and they can take days or weeks to develop.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
A TBI is an injury to the brain caused by a blow or jolt to the head. It can range from a mild concussion to a severe injury resulting in a coma or death. Symptoms of a TBI can include headaches, dizziness, memory loss and difficulty concentrating. If you’ve been in a car accident and are experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important that you seek medical attention.
Herniated disks
This type of injury may occur when the force of a car crash causes the vertebrae bone to push into the spine. When this happens, the pressure may get to the nerves that surround the spinal cord. While this injury may not always be apparent, if left untreated, it could result in chronic pain and even disability.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
PTSD is a mental health condition that may develop after a traumatic event like a car accident. Symptoms of PTSD can include anger, anxiety, sleep disturbances, nightmares and flashbacks of the accident. If left untreated, PTSD can affect your daily life, work and relationships.
Car accidents can cause serious injuries that are not always visible. Therefore, you may want to seek help if you experience any of the aforementioned symptoms.