Car accidents can subject the human body to devastating forces it was not designed to handle. They can cause painful injuries that require medical treatment and long recoveries. As a victim, you may be wondering when life can get back to normal, especially if soreness seems to linger longer than you think it should.
If you are experiencing pain and suffering after a car accident in Birmingham, AL, call Norris Injury Lawyers today. Missing work and growing medical bills can cause you undue worry and stress. Lingering soreness can multiply that anxiety.
Please be assured, you do not have to face this situation alone. Our team of experienced attorneys can help you get the compensation you deserve.
Call Norris Injury Lawyers today at (800) 477-7510. Our No Fee Guarantee® means you will not have to pay a cent until and unless you win your case.
When will the Soreness Go Away?
Depending on the severity of the car accident, general soreness afterward can last as long as 6 weeks.
The most common types of injuries include neck and back soreness, generally caused by whiplash. Whiplash occurs when the head and body are suddenly jolted and forcefully moved into an unnatural position.
Other types of accident injuries include sprains and broken bones. While it is not unusual for pain and soreness to last for several weeks, sometimes those symptoms can last even longer.
When to See a Doctor After an Accident?
It is important to see a doctor as soon as possible after an auto accident. Many times, adrenaline can mask injury symptoms. Some car accident victims walk away without a scratch and think they are fine, only for symptoms to develop days later. Even if what you are feeling does not seem severe, it is a good idea to get checked anyway. A record of injury after a collision can help your compensation claim.
Even if the accident was not that bad, listen to your body. Even low-speed accidents that do not cause much vehicle damage can hurt you physically. If you experience any of the following symptoms after a car accident, you should see a doctor right away.
New sharp pain
Aches and pains are a normal part of everyday life, even if you have never been in a car accident before. You might have already suffered chronic lower back pain. But new, sharp pain after an accident should not be overlooked.
Pain is the body’s way of saying something is wrong. It is conceivable to break or fracture a bone in an accident and not feel it until later. Sprains and strains are also possible.
An ongoing headache
Hitting your head on the steering wheel or side door is common in an accident. You could get a nasty headache while you recover. If the headache continues and does not go away, this might be an indication of a traumatic brain injury. Head injuries are serious and should be checked out right away. If left unchecked, traumatic brain injuries can lead to serious problems.
Extremity weakness
Any type of weakness in your extremities, like your arms or legs, can indicate there is a serious problem. You may have injured your spinal cord which has a direct impact on the nerves that extend to the rest of the body. This is a problem that requires immediate medical care and can get worse with time.
Pain that gets worse instead of better
You are likely going to feel soreness after a car accident. Getting that issue checked out should be a priority, even if it is minor. But, if you decide you are going to tough it out, you should expect a resolution of that soreness.
Over time, if you do not start to feel better, then you may have a deeper problem. Your body can mask severe injuries in a variety of ways. Soreness that gets worse instead of better is a good sign that you need to see your doctor as soon as possible.
Symptoms of confusion and disorientation
Traumatic brain injuries can reveal themselves in a variety of ways. A headache that does not go away is only one symptom. It can be common to experience confusion and disorientation after an accident. If those symptoms continue days later, that may be a sign of something worse going on in your brain. Do not allow any mental issues to go unchecked by a medical professional
Vision and/or hearing issues
Other traumatic brain injury symptoms may include vision and/or hearing problems. It is normal to experience some minor hearing and/or visual complications immediately after an accident. If you continue to deal with tunnel vision, blurred vision, and/or ringing in your ears after a day or two, see your doctor right away.
Exhaustion
One way the body tries to heal itself is through sleep. You may feel exhausted for several days after an accident. This is normal and you should allow yourself to get the rest you need for your body to heal. The worst thing you can do is to go right back to work or ignore your body’s attempts at healing. However, if you experience extreme fatigue a few days or even a week after the accident, that could be another sign of traumatic brain injury.
Abdominal pain
Your body may be subjected to incredible forces during an accident. Your chest and abdominal region can hit the steering wheel, be contorted, or be held in place by the seat belt. All these situations can cause trauma within your abdominal cavity. Bruising can occur, as well as damage to your internal organs. Internal bleeding must absolutely be ruled out, so seek medical attention right away.
Potential Injuries Caused by a Car Accident
During a car accident, no part of your body cannot be impacted. Of course, the degree of injuries you suffer will vary depending on the type and speed of the incident. Some people might also handle a crash better than others. Nevertheless, here are some potential injuries that threaten us all.
Spinal cord injuries
Damage to discs, ligaments, and vertebrae can be caused by violent blows to the body. These vital structures within your spine can be crushed, dislocated, and compressed, causing pain. In the worst cases, you might be dealing with some type of paralysis that could last the rest of your life.
If you have been injured in a car accident, call Norris Injury Lawyers right away. When we take on your case, we will fight to help you get the compensation you deserve.
Traumatic brain injuries
When the head is jolted in any direction, it can hurt the brain and cause a variety of symptoms. TBI issues can range from mild to severe and can include:
- Hearing loss
- Vision problems
- Disorientation
- Headaches
- Nausea and vomiting
- Speech problems
- Sensory issues
- Mental and behavioral problems, including mood swings
- Insomnia
- Exhaustion
- Seizures
- Loss of coordination
- Slurred speech
- Coma
- Broken bones
It is not uncommon for car accident victims to break a bone. The types of bones found in these types of incidents include arms, legs, ribs, and wrists. Broken bones are often extremely painful and may require time off work to recover.
Internal injuries
Car accident victims can suffer internal injuries, including to major organs. Spleen, liver, and kidney damage can be common. If you are suffering from abdominal pain after an accident, be sure to see your doctor. You may be required to get surgery to repair any injured organs and bleeding.
Soft tissue injuries
Contusions, sprains, and strains are all types of soft tissue injuries that happen in a car accident. Most of these problems often heal on their own over time. Sometimes, pain from soft tissue injuries can linger and can even cause mobility problems for the rest of your life.
Steps You Should Take After a Car Accident in Birmingham, AL
Car accidents can be scary and traumatic. As soon as you know you are okay and can do so, it is important to move into action. How you handle the moments after your accident can strengthen your legal claim.
You should follow these steps after you have been in an accident.
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Call 911
You will want to alert emergency services of the accident. Both the police and paramedics will likely come to the scene of the crash. When the police come out, they will investigate and put together a report you can use in court.
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Gather information
Even though the police department will likely gather valuable information, it can be helpful to collect your own details and jot down what you remember of what occurred.
The police do not investigate with a view to your side of the story; they might miss something crucial. So get the contact information of any eyewitnesses on the scene and take photographs of the scene and damage to your vehicles.
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Get checked out medically
Even if you feel fine at that moment, you need to get checked out by a medical professional. To win a compensation case, you will need to prove your injuries were caused by the negligent party. That requires you to have records of your condition in your medical history, dating back to as soon after the collision as possible.
Be sure to follow your doctor’s guidelines and treatment plan. The insurance company will likely fight you, perhaps claiming that you weren’t hurt so badly.
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Call Norris Injury Lawyers
Regardless of how long your pain and soreness lasts, you deserve to be compensated for it. That includes paying off your medical bills and making up for the money you lost for time off work.
Come talk to us. Norris Injury Lawyers have over 40 years of handling personal injury accident cases in and around Birmingham, AL. We are not intimidated by insurance companies and can fight for every dollar you deserve, even if that means taking your case to trial.
Call Norris Injury Lawyers today at (800) 477-7510 for your free case evaluation. You are protected by our No Fee Guarantee®.
