Even if car accidents in Las Vegas cause minor damage to a vehicle, they can cause serious physical injuries to you and your passengers. Each person reacts differently to an automobile accident. While some may feel as if they are in a mental fog immediately after, others may be overwhelmed by emotion, concerned about what to do next. Unfortunately, this could mean a severe injury goes unnoticed for several days or even weeks. You must seek medical attention immediately after your accident as many injuries can be identified before they begin to cause discomfort, according to injury lawyers of Nevada. These are some symptoms of potentially serious injuries that may not appear for several days or weeks but should be addressed immediately.
Headache or Personality Changes
A headache that develops days after an accident is not unusual but could be an indication of a severe underlying injury. You may have suffered a concussion that has not been adequately treated, or you could have injured your head or neck during the collision. Blood clots in the brain can be extremely dangerous and, left untreated, could lead to death. After car accidents in Las Vegas, a headache that develops after the accident, especially one that lingers, should be brought to the attention of your doctor. If the headache is accompanied by changes in personality or physical function, the headache may also be a sign of a traumatic brain injury. If your thought processes or memory are impaired, you are depressed, notice problems with vision or hearing, or if your personality changes drastically seek medical attention immediately.
Neck or Shoulder Pain
One of the most common car accident injuries, according to injury lawyers of Nevada, is whiplash. Most cases of whiplash occur in rear-end collisions. Cars going 14 miles or less an hour cause the most cases of delayed whiplash. Too often, people with neck or shoulder pain ignore the problem thinking it will resolve on its own, but whiplash can be severe. In the beginning, your doctor will want to treat you with massage, chiropractic services, and physical therapy. But if the pain lasts more than six weeks, you may need to be referred to a specialist. Numbness in your arms and hands is another indication of whiplash as the injury can cause damage to nerves in the neck or spinal column.
Back Pain
Lower back pain is the most common form of back pain reported after rear-impact collisions, accounting for more than half the reported injuries. Side-impact crashes account for three-quarters of lower back pain reports. Back pain can indicate an injury to the muscles, ligaments, or nerves in your back. It can even indicate damage to the vertebrae. You can have severe damage to one of your vertebrae and not feel pain for a day or so.
Dizziness or Abdominal Swelling
If you have noticed swelling in your abdomen after car accidents in Las Vegas, you could be suffering from internal bleeding. This is a life-threatening condition that needs immediate attention. Other symptoms of internal bleeding include dizziness, fainting, or an area of deep purple bruising. If you experience any of these symptoms, you need to seek medical attention immediately.
Seeking medical attention after a car accident protects you from an injury that could be potentially fatal while also recording any symptoms you have after the crash. If you have been injured in a car accident, contact the injury lawyers of Nevada at The Schnitzer Law Firm. You can arrange for a no-obligation appointment by emailing Contact@TheSchnitzerLawFirm.com, calling 702-960-4050 or fill out the secure online form today.