When you are involved in a car accident of any kind, the first thing that you need to see to is your physical well-being. While serious injuries will naturally require immediate medical care, there are some cases where a car accident injury isn’t as easy to recognize at first. Such injuries are not obvious or even painful at first; however, this doesn’t mean that they can’t develop into extremely painful, and at times, debilitating conditions.
If you have recently been involved in a minor car accident and are experiencing aches and pains, you might very well have sustained one of these three common car accident injuries.
1. Whiplash
Although whiplash is an injury that is often linked to car accidents, it is something that can happen for a variety of reasons. Even a severe fall is enough to result in whiplash. When you are involved in a minor car accident, you will most likely suffer from some degree of whiplash, whether minor or severe in nature.
When you are in a car accident, the force from even a minor collision is enough to “whip” your head in a certain direction. This action cannot be supported or braced properly by the muscles in your neck, causing them to be strained. The pain from whiplash might not manifest itself for several days following your accident, so it is important for you to pay attention to your body and recognize the pain of whiplash as it develops. If it does, you might have grounds to receive compensation for whiplash in the aftermath of your car accident.
2. A Slipped Disc in car accident
Another common car accident injury that might not manifest itself right away is that of a slipped disc. This is another injury that is the result of the force from a collision being too much for your body to handle. Essentially, it is when one of the discs of soft tissue in your spine is forced out of place.
Your spine is comprised of a series of bones that house these discs of tissue. The discs themselves contain sensitive nerve endings that are linked to various parts of your body. When one of these discs is forced out of place, it can become lodged between two of the bones in the spine. This results in the disc being pinched, which can cause radiating pain that can reach your limbs. Be aware of any areas of concentrated pain in your back that radiates outwards as this might be indicative of a slipped disc.
3. Broken Ribs in car accident
Broken ribs are commonly seen following a car accident. Because this injury doesn’t manifest itself on the exterior of your body, it might be easy to miss at first. However, even a slight bruise or fracture in your rib can be incredibly painful in the aftermath of your accident. If you suspect that you have broken a rib, it is important to seek medical attention right away as severe cases can cause further internal injuries if left unchecked.
