Thousands of Colorado residents are involved in automobile accidents each year, and many of them do not realize how badly they were injured until hours, days, or even weeks have passed. Sometimes this is because the adrenaline the body releases in stressful situations can mask pain, but it is more often because neck and back injuries have become more serious over time. This is why it is prudent for road users to seek medical attention following a car accident even when they appear to have escaped unscathed or with only minor injuries.
Whiplash injuries
Soft tissue injuries caused by whiplash often go undiagnosed following motor vehicle accidents. These injuries are suffered when the head moves backward and then forward quickly, and symptoms, such as stiffness, pain, headaches, and numbness, can last for years. Treatment options are usually limited to pain medication and physical therapy. Neck pain that develops hours or days after a car accident could also be a symptom of a serious spinal cord injury.
Head, back, and internal injuries
Debilitating back pain after an accident can also be caused by soft tissue damage. Other back injuries that may not present symptoms immediately include herniated discs and spinal misalignments. Pain can be especially severe when nerves in the lower back are pinched by vertebrae that have been dislodged by trauma. Headaches are common in the days following traffic accidents, but they should not be taken lightly. Persistent headaches could be a symptom of a serious medical condition, such as a concussion or a blood clot. Accident victims who develop abdominal pain should seek treatment right away because their discomfort could be a symptom of internal bleeding, which can be fatal if left untreated.
Damages for undiagnosed injuries
Serious motor vehicle accident injuries are sometimes missed by emergency room doctors. This is why experienced personal injury attorneys may consult with spinal cord and soft tissue injury specialists before filing lawsuits on behalf of accident victims. Attorneys could do this to ensure that all of their clients’ injuries are diagnosed and that the damages they seek are enough to cover the costs of their health care and physical therapy.