Are There Delayed Shock Symptoms After a Car Accident?

A car accident can take place in the blink of an eye, changing your life forever. While some injuries may be apparent instantly, other symptoms may present after hours, days, or weeks following a crash. Given this commonality, delayed shock symptoms are often referred to as hidden injuries, although the delayed appearance of these injuries does not make them any less severe.

In the aftermath of a collision, your body can go into shock. Shock is a result of decreased blood flow and oxygenation to vital organs. This is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate treatment. While other delayed physical symptoms may not pose a dire threat to your life, it is imperative that you seek medical intervention as soon as possible.

If you are suffering from unexplainable pains and aches following an accident, our Myrtle Beach motor vehicle accident lawyer is here to discuss common delayed shock symptoms and the compensation to which you may be entitled.

Headaches

A sudden headache that occurs after an accident is a cause for concern. Often, headaches following a crash are due to a traumatic brain injury (TBI) or whiplash. A TBI is any jolt, blow, or strike to the head that causes a disruption to normal brain function. In some cases, symptoms of an intracranial hemorrhage or brain bleed may not present until days or weeks after a crash.

A headache may also be due to whiplash. Whiplash is caused by the neck shaking back and forth rapidly, resulting in a tearing of ligaments, vertebrae, and muscles. The condition affects roughly 3 million Americans each year. Other symptoms of whiplash include neck stiffness, neck pain, and tingling in the arms or hands.

Back Pain

Acute or sudden back pain can be alarming, and rightfully so, since it may be a sign of a spinal cord injury. A spinal cord injury is any damage to the bundle of nerves in the spine that send signals to the brain and the rest of the body. In addition to back pain, spinal cord injury victims may experience loss of movement, pain or tingling sensation, and loss of bladder or bowel control.

Vomiting or Nausea

While the underlying cause of vomiting or nausea following a traumatic event is often not clear, it may be the result of a TBI or spinal cord injury. Delayed nausea may be caused by the disruption to blood flow in the brain.

If you experience autonomic dysreflexia, which can occur in people with spinal cord injuries, your blood pressure may spike, causing you to feel nauseous. This is typically due to the body’s response to a full bladder since the pain signals cannot reach the brain in the same manner as they do in a healthy individual.

Vision Changes

Whether it be blurry vision, double vision, or an inability to focus, vision changes following a crash may be a sign of a TBI. The delay in visual acuity may be due to the impact of the crash on the visual cortex not showing its full effects right away.

Dizziness

Dizziness following a crash may be due to head, neck, or inner ear injuries. This may be a sign of vertigo. Characterized by a whirling or spinning sensation, vertigo can be perplexing and create the potential for further injuries due to the impact it has on a person’s balance. In some cases, you may experience ringing in the ears (tinnitus) and hearing loss. In other situations, dizziness may be another sign of a TBI.

Compensation to Crash Victims

Delayed symptoms following a car accident can prevent you from performing routine tasks and make it difficult to work. As an injury victim, you deserve to be compensated to the fullest extent for your injuries. At The Law Office of Brad C. Richardson, our Myrtle Beach car accident lawyer is dedicated to helping accident victims recover maximum damages, including:

• Lost income
• Loss of future earnings
• Present and future medical expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Disfigurement and/or scarring
• Negligent infliction of emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life

Injured? Contact Our Myrtle Beach Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyer

Any losses that you incur due to a car accident can make paying your bills and everyday expenses challenging. At The Law Office of Brad C. Richardson, we believe that the responsible party should be held accountable for the damage caused. Our Myrtle Beach motor vehicle accident attorney is dedicated to obtaining the financial resources necessary to help you move forward. If you are interested in learning more or scheduling a consultation, contact us online or by phone today.