After a car accident, it may seem like a small miracle that you were able to walk away from the crash without any injuries. Despite how things may appear, you may actually be suffering a hidden injury. Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are just one of the hidden injuries you may experience after an accident, and they claim the lives of more than a hundred people a day.
Knowing how to spot a hidden injury is the first step in treating it, but not all injuries are easy to see. If you recently suffered an accident, here are some injuries to watch out for:
Traumatic brain injuries
TBIs have a lot of signs, but they can appear as incidental consequences of an accident, which is part of what makes them so deadly. Common signs of a TBI include dizziness, trouble thinking or remembering, sleeping too much or too little, forgetfulness, headaches and fatigue.
Nerve damage
The nervous system is a delicate thing, and even a minor accident can deal permanent damage to the body. If you are experiencing localized numbness or difficulty feeling or using a particular body part, it can be a sign that you suffered nerve damage in that area.
Joint injuries
The joints in our body are a precise system that needs every piece to work properly. An accident can knock something out of place and cause an accident victim to feel pain or tenderness in a joint. It can be easy to mistake this as a minor consequence of the crash, but if the pain lasts more than a few days, it could be something more serious than you expect.
Do not take chances with your health
After a car accident, you should be sure that you get a doctor to check you for hidden injuries. They know how to spot the signs of serious injuries that you may not be able to identify on your own. When some injuries can be fatal in a matter of hours or days, it is vital to see a doctor as soon as possible to protect your health and your future after an accident.