The car that hits you seems to come out of nowhere. You realize later that the driver came around a corner too fast and ran the red light. At the time, though, you just see the sudden flash of headlights and feel the impact as the two vehicles collide.
At first, you think you’ve gotten out of it without major injuries. You can’t see anything that is wrong. Your adrenaline is pumping and, though you do feel a bit beat up, you don’t think it’s serious.
What next?
In a case like this, you must be wary of internal injuries. Adrenaline can mask the pain. You may not have outside symptoms. Some people neglect to get medical care and head home, only to find out later that they were seriously injured. Here are some potential signs to look out for:
- Swelling, especially around your stomach or your abdomen
- Pain that will not subside
- Pain that gets worse, rather than better, over time
- Deep purple skin that is worse than a traditional bruise
- Feeling fatigued
- Feeling dizzy
- Suffering from headaches
- Having a seizure
- Fainting
- Feeling lightheaded
- A feeling of “tightness” along with swelling
Obviously, some of these symptoms are far more serious in appearance than others. If you have a seizure or faint after a car accident, it is clear to you that you need medical care.
However, even the more minor symptoms can show you that something is seriously wrong. Your pain may get worse in the hours after the accident, as the adrenaline rush wears off. The next morning, you may wake up to find that it’s worse than ever — and now it’s accompanied by purple skin and swelling.
No matter what happens, make sure you get proper medical care. When in doubt, it’s always better to talk to a doctor. Even if it turns out that you are fine, at least you gave a medical professional a chance to look for telltale signs of internal injuries.
The legal side
If you do have internal injuries, the cost can be substantial. It’s more than just the damage to your car. You may miss time at work and lose out on wages as a result. You could wind up in the emergency room when you realize something is wrong, and that’s a very expensive trip in America — especially if you needed an ambulance to bring you there. Depending on your injuries, the costs can continue to mount.
When this happens, it’s important to understand the legal side of the equation. You could have a right to compensation for these costs, which you may be able to seek from the driver who caused the crash in the first place.