If you can walk away from a car crash in Idaho, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you are all right. You may not have broken bones or cuts, but you could have more severe damage that is not readily apparent.
Whiplash
Pain from soft tissue damage may take a day or two to appear, and one of the most common examples is whiplash. This neck injury happens when your head whips back and forth after a rear-end collision. Every case is different, and there is no way to tell if the pain will last for days, weeks or years. Treatment may involve medicinal intervention and physical therapy.
Traumatic brain injuries
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) occur when the head experiences impact or intense movements. The brain can move around in the skull, resulting in bruising and bleeding. Some initial symptoms of a TBI include the following:
- Headache
- Memory loss
- Confusion
- Anxiety
- Difficulty sleeping
- Difficulty speaking
- Vision problems
- Mood swings
- Nausea
- Pupils have different sizes
- Seizures
If you consistently experience any of these symptoms, check in with your doctor and mention that you were in a car accident, even if it occurred months earlier. Treatment for a TBI may include:
- Surgery
- Speech therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Physical therapy
- Psychiatric therapy
These treatments may last for years, depending on the severity of the damage.
Internal bleeding
Car accidents may also affect your internal organs, which can incur significant damage from an impact that results in bleeding and the eventual failure of the organ. The kidneys and liver are the most commonly affected organs, but damage to the heart, lungs and intestines also occurs. See a doctor immediately if you aren’t feeling well after an accident. Organ failure is a life-or-death situation.
Compensation
If you are the victim of a car accident and feel that the insurance company’s offer is too low, you can try negotiating for a higher payout. If that’s unsuccessful, you may file a lawsuit to receive additional compensation for your pain and suffering.
Be sure to see your doctor if you feel out-of-sorts after a car accident. Some signs of severe damage are very subtle.