If you’re experiencing whiplash symptoms after a car accident, see your doctor ASAP for examination and diagnosis.

Formal medical diagnosis may also be necessary for full compensation from your insurance, other drivers’ insurance, and even other drivers personally.

It’s highly likely that you do in fact have whiplash. However, other injuries may cause similar symptoms, too. Your physician will consider them before prescribing treatment.

What whiplash symptoms do I need to watch for?

The classic whiplash symptoms are neck pain and stiffness. They tend to worsen with movement, making it too painful (or simply impossible) to move your neck through its full range.

Neck pain after car accidents is extremely common. Whiplash isn’t the only cause, but it’s by far the best known.

Are there any other symptoms?

Your neck contains complex musculature and delicate nerves, so pain and soreness often radiate upward (in the form of headaches) or downward through the arms and upper back.

Neurological symptoms like tingling arms, general fatigue, dizziness, difficulty seeing, and tinnitus are not uncommon.

Whiplash is also known to disrupt sleep, cause irritability, impair memory, and even trigger depression. The trauma of a collision may have similar effects, so professional diagnosis is just as critical for psychological symptoms as for physical ones.

How soon does whiplash show up after an accident?

Symptoms may come on within hours, and generally appear within at most a few days.

That’s one of the main reasons why you should never tell others you aren’t hurt in the aftermath of a collision. In many cases, it’s simply too soon to tell.

How did my collision cause whiplash?

It’s the result of neck tissue strains due to a quick, severe change in momentum.

The impact of a collision—especially a rear-end collision—dramatically accelerates your body and neck. Your head is relatively heavy, so it tends to stay in place rather than move as quickly as the rest of your body.

In effect, this pulls your neck in two directions at once, straining connective tissue far beyond what it’s designed to withstand.

Should I talk to an attorney about my whiplash?

Collisions bring overwhelming aftermath. The endless documentation and insurance disputes can be too much on their own, let alone when you’re also dealing with whiplash.

At Bridge Law, our team of auto accident specialists is here to fight for you and for every penny you deserve. If you’ve suffered whiplash in a car accident, then contact us to discuss your case and options.

For any signs of spinal cord damage after a car collision, see your doctor immediately. Proper care will maximize the chances of full, rapid healing.

Formal medical diagnosis may also be necessary for full compensation from your insurance, other drivers’ insurance, and even other drivers personally.

How do car accidents cause spinal cord injuries?

They’re usually the result of direct impact or shear forces. For instance, a crushed door might impact the spine directly, or extreme changes in momentum may force upper and lower spinal segments in opposite directions.

Our spines do a great job protecting delicate nerves from everyday knocks while still letting us move freely.

But the trade-off for ease of movement is a certain vulnerability to blunt or sideways forces.

Vertebrae are connected by ligaments and controlled by muscles. These can all be crushed, stretched, or torn in a crash. That’s painful in its own right, and may disrupt the underlying nerves, too.

Is a spinal cord injury from a collision always serious?

Generally, but not always. It may manifest as something like whiplash, causing pain but no permanent nerve damage.

Naturally, it’s more alarming when the underlying nerves are impinged upon, nicked, or even severed. This obviously requires emergency treatment, and is virtually impossible to leave undetected.

Do I need to see my doctor for spinal symptoms?

Yes. No matter how minor it seems, you should see your doctor immediately for any hint of harm to your spine.

Common signs include:

• Whiplash-like symptoms in your back (e.g., painful or limited movement)
• Tingling or numbness
• Weakness or loss of control in your limbs
• Unusual pain or pressure
• Poor or inconsistent bladder or bowel control

As noted earlier, a physician needs to document any injuries for insurance and legal reasons.

Furthermore, it’s not always easy to tell the difference between minor tissue inflammation and a more serious underlying injury. Your doctor will likely refer you to a specialist who can pinpoint what’s amiss and recommend effective treatment.

Keep in mind that you can suffer lasting harm even without severe spinal cord damage. Minor injuries left untreated can still lead to permanent pain or reduced bodily control.

Should I talk to a lawyer about my spinal cord injury?

Collisions bring overwhelming aftermath. The endless documentation and insurance disputes can be too much on their own, let alone when you’re also dealing with spinal trauma.

At Bridge Law, our team of auto accident specialists is here to fight for you and for every penny you deserve. If you’ve suffered a spinal injury in a car accident, then contact us to discuss your case and options.

If you’re experiencing concussion symptoms after a collision, see your doctor immediately. Avoiding driving, since your vision, balance, and focus may be weaker than you realize.

Formal medical diagnosis may also be necessary for full compensation from your insurance, other drivers’ insurance, and even other drivers personally.

If you were knocked unconscious during the accident, or can’t recall the sequence of events, then you should assume you have a concussion. Seek treatment regardless of symptoms.

How can I tell whether I have a concussion?

A headache is the most universal symptom, but several others are common. Many concussion victims experience nausea and vomiting (especially shortly after the fact), as well as persistent vision and hearing issues.

General confusion or mental fogginess may persist, and you may struggle to recall parts or all of the event. Sleep issues and light/noise sensitivity commonly follow, and some victims even report loss of taste/smell.

Some symptoms are more visible to others than to yourself. Those who know you may comment that you seem a bit vacant, slow, forgetful, or even irritable and hostile. These comments may be frustrating or confusing, but it’s critical to take them seriously and share them with your doctor.

Could I have a concussion if I didn’t hit my head in the accident?

Yes. Firstly, concussions often cause amnesia (memory loss) around the accident. It’s surprisingly common not to remember the period immediately before or after.

Secondly, remember that a concussion just refers to your brain compressing against your skull. That doesn’t require outside impact. For example, intense whiplash in your collision may have caused a concussion without any direct impact to your head.

If I don’t have many symptoms, could I still have a concussion?

Yes. Not all concussion symptoms show up immediately, and they don’t all last for the same period of time. That’s all the more reason to consult a doctor even if you don’t feel many/any concussion symptoms.

Remember, when we’re talking about concussions, we’re talking about traumatic brain injury. The risks of long-term harm are too great to ignore, no matter how decent you feel at the moment.

Should I ask a lawyer about my concussion?

Collisions bring overwhelming aftermath. The endless documentation and insurance disputes can be too much on their own, let alone when you’re also dealing with a concussion.

At Bridge Law, our team of auto accident specialists is here to fight for you and for every penny you deserve. If you’ve suffered a concussion in a car accident, then contact us to discuss your case and options.

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Nothing makes you feel more vulnerable than being in a car accident. The overwhelming powerlessness and confusion make it hard to process the situation, let alone to think about your next steps.

Yet the reality is that decisions in that moment will shape the coming months or years of your life, for better or worse. It’s critical to know what to do before you step into the car—even for quick trips, given that most accidents actually occur near home.

As personal injury attorneys who specialize in auto collisions, we’ve dealt with the good, the bad, and the ugly of post-accident decision-making. Here’s what we wish everyone knew to do.

Evaluate everyone’s safety & call for help

Everyone’s well-being is of the utmost priority. Check yourself, check others, and clear the way for traffic if possible.

Check yourself for injuries

If you are able to move, then go immediately to a safe spot away from traffic or damaged vehicles (which are potentially inflammable).

Obviously, call 911 for any critical injuries as soon as it’s safe to get on the phone.

The shock of the moment can make it surprisingly hard to tell whether you’ve suffered some less catastrophic harm. Try your best to relax and breathe deeply as your level of awareness returns to normal. If possible, think consciously about every body part, one at a time, and dial 911 if you do perceive signs of harm.

If others are injured, stay put and call for help

Assuming you’re not seriously injured, your next priority is to see whether anyone—in any of the vehicles involved—has been injured. If so, then call 911 from a safe place, assuming you are able to.

Under no circumstances should you leave the site of the accident. You may and should move to a safe spot, but fleeing the scene altogether may constitute a hit-and-run. Furthermore, fleeing the scene of an injury accident may be a felony under Washington law.

If safe, move the vehicles out of traffic

Assuming the vehicles are operable, and nobody in them is too badly hurt to move, then get them out of the way of traffic.

If not, then turn on hazard lights and use reflective triangles or flares (if available) to alert other drivers while you wait for law enforcement to arrive. Do not accept the services of any unsolicited tow truck.

Document the incident

If you haven’t already called 911, then now’s the time to get the police on their way. While you wait for them, document everything (and everyone) that pertains to the incident.

Don’t discuss fault or deny injuries

Insurers will decide who is legally at fault—which may be more complex than it seemed from the driver’s seat. No good comes of discussing fault with the other party. Even if you believe you contributed to the collision, and even if the other driver is demanding that you say so, it is simply not the time or place.

Likewise, even if you’re fortunate enough to have escaped injury, don’t say you’re not injured. Delayed car accident injuries are far more common than most people realize. Feeling nothing at the moment does not mean you aren’t hurt; only a doctor can make that determination.

Exchange information

Ensure that you and the other driver(s) have each other’s personal contact information, insurance details, and vehicle information.

Photograph and record the details

Insurance compensation and legal remedies revolve around documentation, so it’s critical to photograph the vehicles extensively. Err on the side of too much evidence, not too little, and don’t count on the other party to capture all the details.

Write down every single thing you recall: the sequence of events, the circumstances, the roadway, and so forth. The stress of the situation can make it harder than usual to remember essential details. If anyone witnessed the collision, it’s wise to record their contact information and observations, as well.

If your insurer provides a mobile app, then you may be able to open a claim and start uploading documentation from the scene.

Follow up

Once you’ve away from the scene, there are still a few critical things to follow up on.

File an insurance claim

If you haven’t already opened a claim with your insurers, now’s the time to do so.

You might not be obligated to file a claim, but you’ll almost certainly want to. True, it’s quite possible that your insurance premiums will rise. Although higher premiums may be hard to swallow, they’re often a drop in the bucket compared to the out-of-pocket cost of even minor repairs (let alone any medical or legal complications).

File a report, if an officer hasn’t

Generally, the investigating officer will file a report. However, if no officer is investigating, then Washington law gives you four days to file a report yourself.

Get a medical check-up

Harm from a car accident isn’t always as obvious as you’d think. Some delayed injury symptoms may emerge hours or even days after the collision.

If you notice any physical or psychological changes, then see your doctor promptly—even if they don’t feel like a big deal.

Consider consulting an attorney

Ideally, insurers settle claims in a prompt and reasonable fashion, and all parties move on with life as soon as possible.

However, there are many situations where insurers are reluctant, liability is complex, or additional legal considerations (like personal behavior or product liability) are involved. If you find yourself in one of these situations, then consult a legal team who can advise you on your rights and remedies.

As personal injury attorneys who specialize in car accidents, we’re all too aware of the financial and personal stakes. We’re here to give a clear, candid assessment and—if necessary—to fight for whatever compensation you deserve.

If you’ve been in an accident, contact us today for a confidential consultation.

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The physical and mental trauma of a car accident happens in a flash. Just a fraction of a second can turn your health, finances, and entire life upside down.

But that fleeting moment isn’t always the end of it.

Some car accident injury symptoms take days or even weeks to fully show up.

That’s why it’s critical to get a thorough medical evaluation even if you feel fine, and to consult a personal injury attorney before dealing with insurers or anybody else.

This article will help you understand what signs to watch for, why these delayed collision injuries occur, and what to do if symptoms emerge in the aftermath of your accident.

Car Accident Injury Symptoms To Watch For

Some symptoms begin with surprisingly minor discomfort.

A little tightness, stiffness, or soreness can be part of daily life. But after a wreck, these aches and pains may be the first signs of soft tissue damage.

Of course, it’s always best to seek medical evaluation and legal counsel even if you feel well. Generally, you will not receive compensation for undetected injuries.

Neck & back pain

Emerging neck and pain is a common symptom of delayed injury from a car accident. It’s usually the result of strains to soft tissue, but may also reflect small spinal fractures.

The spine is connected by several small ligaments that hold delicate vertebrae in alignment. Between the vertebrae are discs that provide cushioning and lubrication. The intense forces of a car accident often stretch or tear these ligaments, resulting in pain that tends to increase in the days after.

In some cases, vertebrae may be compressed hard enough to damage discs or even the vertebrae themselves. This may also result in severe inflammation that irritates the many nearby nerves.

When rapid, jerking motion hurts the soft tissues of the neck, it’s known as whiplash. However, the entire spine is vulnerable to similar injuries, from the base of the skull down to the tailbone.

Headaches, nausea, or sensory changes

Concussions typically cause pain and nausea. It’s also common to experience sensory changes ranging from impaired sight or balance to persistent vertigo to tinnitus (ringing in the ears).

Direct head impact is the usual cause, but you may have experienced a concussion without realizing it.

Any violent change in momentum is enough to compress the brain against the skull. Whatever the cause, that pressure inflicts some degree of concussion or more severe traumatic brain injury.

While there’s no need to panic at every little twinge, it’s critical to get a physician’s opinion if you notice changes in movement, vision, memory, focus, or any other neurological functions.

(The dizziness associated with a concussion isn’t necessarily the same thing as lightheadedness or fainting. Those also demand immediate attention, since they could reflect several underlying problems, including internal bleeding.)

Keep in mind that symptoms like headaches are common to both concussions and whiplash. If you see signs of either one, a physician may examine you for both.

Numb or tingly limbs

Take note of any odd sensations or numbness, especially in your limbs. This often suggests injury to or inflammation of tissue around major nerves.

For instance, leg and arm nerves may be compressed where they branch off of your spine. This can occur even without back or neck pain, since it takes surprisingly little inflammation to interfere with nerve function.

Abdominal pain

After a car accident, new or increasing abdominal pain is an alarming symptom that needs immediate attention.

Unlike generalized nausea or malaise following brain injury, more acute abdominal pain may mean bruised organs or even internal bleeding. Our internal organs are surprisingly robust, but the forces of a wreck are more than enough to injure them. And just like skin-level bruising, this can take hours or days to fully appear.

Abdominal pain is less common than other delayed injury symptoms, but may be one of the most severe.

Stiff or swollen joints

Tight, inflamed joints are a common collision injury symptom. They’re often accompanied by swelling or superficial tenderness.

Direct impact—like being thrust against a car door or steering wheel—may cause deep bruising as connective tissue is compressed between a bone and an external object.

In other collisions, a forceful change in momentum may cause hyperextension (excessive stretching). A torn tendon or ligament would be immediately noticeable, but partial tears and lesser strains can take time to manifest.

Finally, keep an eye out for shoulder and elbow issues in particular. They may bear the brunt of direct impact from a door. Likewise, our small hand and finger joints are easily strained.

Anxiety, depression, or trouble sleeping

Less often discussed, but equally important, are mental health symptoms.

Our brains simply aren’t designed for the trauma and fright of a collision, so anxiety, mood disorders, and even sleep dysfunction are common in the aftermath.

These often point to PTSD or a similar state. The mechanisms aren’t well understood, but psychological symptoms may be the brain’s way of dealing with the extreme stress of a collision.

If you or people close to you notice behavioral changes after a car accident, then take them seriously and get a professional evaluation.

What Kinds of Collision Injuries Might Be Delayed?

Some of the most common types of delayed car accident injuries are:

• Neck strain (e.g., whiplash)
• Concussion and brain trauma
• Back pain, spasms, or stiffness
• Internal bleeding

From skin to ligaments to brain matter, our bodies are filled with soft tissue. It’s all vulnerable to impact, and even to drastic changes in momentum.

But unlike skeletal injuries, which are relatively immediate and simple to diagnose, soft tissue injuries can manifest slowly and may require special medical imaging.

Why Are Some Car Accident Injuries Delayed?

Car accident injuries are often delayed when they involve soft tissue, including the brain. Factors like psychological stress and hormonal responses may play a role, although they’re harder to observe.

For the most part, bones either break or don’t break, which is generally clear from an X-ray.

But soft tissue injuries can be a product of bruising, excess stretching, inflammatory responses, and even postural compensation. These things may not leave immediate signs, and can be hard to detect clinically—especially before a little time has passed.

Additionally, our bodies respond to the indescribable stress of a collision by releasing a flood of hormones. This classic fight-or-flight response may numb pain and inhibit inflammation, but only for a matter of minutes or hours. Symptoms may evolve rapidly during that time as hormones return to normal levels.

What’s more, the psychological trauma of a serious collision can affect when and how we perceive pain. This phenomenon remains a bit mysterious, but it’s highly individual, and no less real than broken bones or lacerated skin.

What to Do if You Suspect Delayed Injuries

Above all, never sign or agree to anything until you’ve been thoroughly checked over by a medical professional. Once you’ve attended to your care, consider speaking with an attorney who specializes in car accidents.

Remember, insurers and other parties are fully aware that not all injuries appear right away. It’s in their best interest for you to waive or release potential claims as soon as possible. It’s in your best interest to ensure your injuries are fully and patiently documented.

Secondly, get a doctor’s evaluation even if you haven’t noticed any serious injuries. A healthcare provider may still find damage that’s poised to cause problems later. This affects not just your well-being, but also the compensation that you can pursue.

Finally, consider working with a legal team that specializes in collision injuries. We’re here to help accident victims like you to win fair compensation for the full extent of harm suffered.

Courts remain as backlogged as ever, so contact us promptly to schedule a consultation.