Traumatic Injuries from Car Accidents
The Kentucky Transportation Center estimates that over 23,000 injury crashes happen on Kentucky roads each year. While these numbers usually account for the injuries present on the scene, many more dangerous implications may not be so obvious right away.
Aside from broken bones and bruising, accidents can cause significant internal injuries that aren’t always present until you are getting checked by a medical professional. Here are some of the most crucial invisible car accident injuries you should know about.
Internal Damage
It’s fairly common knowledge that traumatic brain injuries and concussions are some of the leading injuries resulting from car accidents. Still, many others may not be aware of other internal damage that can occur. Seatbelts, blunt force trauma, and being thrown from the vehicle (to name a few factors) can all cause injuries that may need to be diagnosed using a CT scan or x-ray.
Here are some of the major injuries that may require a significant course of treatment:
- Internal bleeding from the brain, chest or belly cavity, and muscles.
- Liver or other organ damage.
- Punctured lung.
- Permanent brain damage.
- Broken ribs, which can cause significant damage to other internal structures.
The reason these can be considered ‘invisible’ injuries is that signs and symptoms of these may also coincide with other injuries at the scene, causing these to be overlooked.
- Signs of internal bleeding and organ damage may be confused with concussion symptoms.
- A bruised abdomen can be a sign of broken ribs, but this is also consistent with bruising from the seatbelt.
Mental Health Impacts
As with many mental health disorders that occur naturally, you might not even notice the significant changes happening until you are checked by a medical professional. Nevertheless, many people involved in car accidents – no matter how severe – report a distinct change in their mental state.
Whether this manifests itself as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or a fear of driving, there is no denying the significant effects these crashes can have on the brain. Here are a few more examples of how this can occur.
Development of Mood Disorders
Traumatic brain injuries often come with developing mood disorders like depression or anxiety or can result in significant personality changes.
Anxiety
Many who suffer from severe and persistent anxiety following a car accident have also seen an increase in phobias, panic and sleep disorders, or other physical symptoms like dietary changes and nausea.
Survivor’s Guilt
Survivor’s guilt is an unfortunate side effect of a traumatic experience, especially those that resulted in another’s death. Motorists who were driving at the time of a fatal accident may experience this in large amounts. It can produce physical and psychological symptoms, including sleep disorders, suicidal thoughts, irritability, and intense nightmares.
If you feel as if your mental health has taken a turn for the worst following a car accident, do not be afraid to seek help. You can call 1-800-273-8255 for crisis resources at any time of day.
Latent Conditions
Latent conditions are symptoms and injuries that can show up days or weeks following an accident. While it may seem like a lingering headache or developing pain is a normal side effect of being in an accident, they can point to more significant damages.
Here are some common latent conditions:
- Back, neck, shoulder, or abdominal pain.
- Headaches, nausea, or other concussion symptoms.
- PTSD, stress, or other mental health conditions.
- Extended periods of whiplash.
If you experience any of these in the time following your accident, seek immediate medical treatment.
Car Accident Injury? Call Katz Law
Our firm has been helping car accident victims in Paducah since 1998. Our founder, Brian Katz, has a track record of getting the preferred outcome for his clients and will aggressively advocate for your right to just compensation. If you are seeking representation following an accident, call or fill out our contact form to schedule a consultation.