Hidden Car Accident Injuries to Look For

When someone has been in a car accident, they may have been injured without realizing it. Factors such as shock, stress, and adrenaline may delay the onset of symptoms. It’s also possible for car accident injuries to worsen over time, causing symptoms to resurface later. Wall Family Chiropractic can help diagnose and treat car accident injuries to prevent chronic pain. We are proud to serve and educate Tacoma and its neighboring communities.

Car Accident Chiropractor in WA

What are common car accident injuries?

There is a wide variety of injuries that car accidents may cause, due to the many types of motor accidents. For example, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, and accidents involving two cars all have different factors involved that can impact injury type and severity. For example, being hit by a truck is more likely to cause serious injuries than being hit by a motorcycle, because trucks are larger and carry more momentum. 

Some common injuries from car accidents include: 

• Neck injuries
• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
• Back Injuries
• Lacerations 
• Bruises
• Bone Breaks and Fractures
• Internal Injuries
• Psychological Trauma

Some of these injuries are obvious right after the accident happens, while other ones might fly under the radar and only be identified later. 

Common Hidden Car Crash Injuries and Their Symptoms

1. Whiplash

Whiplash is a very common injury that car accident victims suffer from. Whiplash is caused when the neck and head violently jerk back and forth from the force of an accident. Whiplash most often occurs as a result of rear-end collisions, but it can also result from other types of accidents. Whiplash injuries might not cause symptoms until days or weeks after the accident happened. Some symptoms include: 

• Neck, Back, and Shoulder Pain
• Stiffness and Loss of Mobility
• Headaches and Migraines
• Numbness, Dizziness, and Fatigue

Over time, the inflamed soft tissues can worsen symptoms. 

2. Concussions/Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)

Brain injuries can either happen from direct impact to the head or from the brain hitting the inside of the skull. Even if you think that your head injury is mild, it’s important that you get checked out by a medical expert. People may not realize that they have a traumatic brain injury after a car accident. There’s a misconception that every TBI causes you to black out, which isn’t true. 

• Concussions are a type of brain injury. They can cause symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, dizziness, nausea, confusion, mood changes, memory issues/brain fog, and light/sound sensitivity. Receiving treatment for a concussion helps ensure that the brain heals correctly. 
• Other types of Traumatic Brain Injury may be more serious, even leading to permanent mental disability. TBIs are categorized into non-penetrating (closed) and penetrating (open) injuries. Closed TBIs are more likely to go unnoticed. They can cause a range of symptoms.

3. Internal Injuries/Organ Damage

Internal injuries from car accidents can be caused by seatbelts or from hitting the interior of the vehicle. They can go unnoticed because they aren’t visible from the outside of the body. It’s vital that internal injuries are treated as soon as possible, because they can be fatal. Some symptoms of internal injuries include pain, abdominal swelling, vomiting blood, headaches, bruising, difficulty breathing, and more. Internal injuries may only show subtle signs at first. 

4. Herniated Discs

Car accidents can cause injuries that lead to herniated or ruptured discs. A herniated disc is when the soft center of a spinal disc pushes out of the outer shell. Even minor accidents can cause significant stress to the spine. The risk of getting a herniated disc from an accident is increased if the victim already has spine issues. If you are already suffering from back pain, you may not notice a newly herniated disc. 

Some symptoms of herniated spinal discs include: 

• Back pain that may worsen with movement
• Numbness or tingling
• Weakness

Why do injuries sometimes only show symptoms later on? 

Car accidents can cause both physical and psychological pain that may only impact you until after the accident has passed. 

• Adrenaline and cortisol are stress hormones your body produces to keep you alert and numb pain. This can be helpful, but these hormones may also mask injury symptoms. 
• Physical and emotional shock from a car accident can distract from potential injuries. 
• Soft tissue injuries and inflammation can get worse over time, so they might not be noticeable at first. Gradually, the symptoms become more pronounced. 
• Some serious injuries, such as internal bleeding, may not be noticeable until the person is suffering severe symptoms.
  

Why You Should See a Chiropractor After a Car Accident

It’s important to seek medical attention after being in a car accident. Even if you don’t believe that you were injured, it’s possible that you have hidden injuries. If you end up having to file a personal injury claim, you will need medical documentation to back you up. Keep records of everything if you are experiencing symptoms after a car accident. 

Your Local WA Chiropractic Clinic

Wall Family Chiropractic can diagnose hidden injuries from car accidents, such as whiplash, herniated discs, other soft tissue injuries, or concussion. Getting diagnosed sooner means that you can begin treatment. Chiropractic adjustments can gently treat musculoskeletal symptoms, helping you heal and preventing long-term issues.

Call our team to schedule an appointment for relief today!

Summary & FAQ’s

Your chiropractor will determine whether or not you need an X-ray or an MRI scan. There are a variety of factors that go into the decision, including injuries, symptoms, and the type of accident that they were involved in. X-rays are effective for seeing skeletal issues, while MRI scans are better at seeing soft tissues.