With adrenaline pumping through your veins, you may be unaware of the injuries that you have suffered in a crash. Even though you may not notice any readily apparent symptoms, you should still seek a medical assessment following any collision. If you feel generally unwell or if you experience symptoms hours or days later, seek medical attention since this could be a sign of an underlying health issue. At Shollenberger Januzzi & Wolfe, LLP, our legal team feels that it is important for car accident victims to understand the signs of “invisible” injuries.
Let our Harrisburg car accident attorneys advocate for the compensation you rightfully deserve.
Spinal Cord Injuries
The spinal cord is a nerve bundle that runs from the base of the skull to the tailbone. Damage to any portion can result in a spinal cord injury. Unfortunately, even if you suffer a spinal cord injury, symptoms may not present until hours or days later. Individuals who suffer a spinal cord injury may experience a gradual onset of weakness or tingling in the extremities, muscle spasms, loss of bladder and/or bowel control, and intense pressure in the neck or back. If you do begin to experience these symptoms, contact 911.
Whiplash
Compared to the cracking of a whip, whiplash is a neck injury caused by the rapid back-and-forth movement of the cervical spine. It is most commonly seen in rear-end crashes. While signs of injury can appear immediately, in some cases, they may not appear until up to six months after the incident. Symptoms include reduced range of motion, stiffness, headaches, tingling in the arms, and fatigue. If left untreated, you may develop chronic neck pain and other complications.
Internal Bleeding
Damage to the liver or spleen can cause bleeding inside the abdominal cavity, with injury to the heart, causing the sac surrounding it to fill with blood. Coined the “silent killer,” the signs of internal bleeding are not always obvious, with many victims experiencing dizziness, fatigue, and low blood pressure. If these symptoms go undetected, an injury victim may experience internal organ damage and septic shock. Lack of treatment could potentially cause the person to lapse into a coma or suffer permanent brain damage.
Brain Damage
Concussions are a common traumatic brain injury following a car wreck, which often cannot be diagnosed with a CT scan. A concussion can be caused by any blow or strike to the head that disrupts the chemical signals in the brain. If you are experiencing mood swings, unexplained irritability, or difficulty finding words, these can all point to signs of a concussion.
While many people recover with rest, some may experience concussion symptoms for months or even up to a year post-injury. Known as post-concussion syndrome, symptoms include sleep issues, ringing in the ears, blurry vision, headaches, and noise and light sensitivity. Seeking medical intervention following a concussion can help prevent any long-term consequences.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Any strain or sprain to your muscles, tendons, or ligaments is known as a soft tissue injury. A strain is a tearing of muscle fibers, while a sprain occurs when you stretch or tear a ligament. Although a soft tissue injury may seem insignificant, if left untreated, you may experience mobility limitations and chronic pain.
Potential Damages
Whether you experience hidden or visible injuries, you may be entitled to the following damages in a car accident claim:
- Ambulatory services
- Hospitalizations
- Surgeries and treatments
- Prescription costs
- Rehabilitative therapies, such as physical and occupational therapy
- Home modifications
The above-listed damages are known as economic damages, since they reflect out-of-pocket costs related to your collision. The Commonwealth offers both limited tort and full tort insurance coverage, with both types of auto policies allowing claimants to recover economic damages.
However, full tort insurance will allow you to recoup intangible losses, or non-economic damages. These are often referred to as pain and suffering damages, and may include emotional distress, permanent disability, scarring and/or disfigurement, and loss of consortium (a claim which may be filed concurrently by your spouse). Even if you do not have full tort coverage, you may be able to recover noneconomic damages in select circumstances. Speaking to a member of our legal team will help you understand your options.
Injured? Speak with Our Harrisburg Car Accident Lawyers At Your Earliest Opportunity
Just one misstep by another person can leave you with extensive medical bills and an impaired quality of life. At Shollenberger Januzzi & Wolfe, LLP, we believe that nobody should end up in financial hardship due to another’s negligence. If you or a loved one has suffered car accident injuries, it is essential that you seek legal advice as soon as possible. To arrange your free consultation with one of our Harrisburg car accident attorneys, contact us online or by phone at (717) 229-6580 at your earliest opportunity.