Feel Fine? Why You Need To Be Checked for Hidden Injuries after a Boca Raton Car Crash

Some Florida accident injuries are obvious. A broken arm that results from a body hitting the dashboard is easy to see. So are cuts from broken glass. Even when the injury isn’t so obvious, blood, bruising, and pain can be signs that serious internal injuries may be present. They alert emergency room doctors that something is wrong. Yet not all injuries are easily diagnosed.

The force of impact in a Boca Raton car accident puts stress on the body even if the body doesn’t directly hit the vehicle. These injuries can remain hidden for days or even weeks after the accident. In fact, even with screening these injuries may go undiagnosed until symptoms appear.

Two of the most common “hidden” injuries are myofascial injury, or “whiplash,” and mild traumatic brain injury, or “concussion.” While these injuries are often dismissed or treated lightly, they are in fact serious injuries that require medical treatment.

Whiplash

Whiplash refers to a group of injuries that commonly occur when a vehicle is rear-ended and the victim’s head and neck are suddenly jerked by the impact. The unexpected movement can result in muscle strain, tearing of muscle, nerve damage, disc damage, ruptured ligaments, and even fractured vertebrae. Symptoms of whiplash include:

• Headaches
• Muscle spasms
• Shooting pains
• Soreness
• Tenderness
• Swelling
• Stiffness
• Loss of range of motion

It can take 24 to 72 hours for symptoms to appear. Without treatment, the symptoms may get worse. If you experience neck or back pain in the days after a Boca Raton car crash, it is important that you contact your doctor and make an appointment.

Concussion

Concussion or mild traumatic brain injury is defined as a physical injury to the brain that disrupts its normal functioning. A mild concussion may manifest as just a few minutes of confusion, while a more serious concussion can cause permanent brain damage that may affect the victim’s physical health, emotional responsiveness and/or behavior patterns.

There are two stages of concussion symptoms. Stage one symptoms occur soon after the injury and may include:

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Confusion

In the aftermath of an accident, these symptoms are often dismissed.

Stage two symptoms are more serious. They include:

• Distraction or inability to concentrate
• Fatigue
• Irritability
• Emotional outbursts
• Anxiety
• Depression

Because these symptoms often occur weeks or even months after the injury, the victim and his family may never connect the changes with the accident.

When you visit the doctor after a Boca Raton car wreck, he will give you a list of symptoms to watch for. Concussions can be treated, if they are diagnosed.

For more information about what to do after a car accident in Boca Raton, request a free copy of Boca Raton accident attorney David Glatthorn’s book, The Florida Accident Workbook: Tools, Tips & Tactics to Resolve Your Injury Claim. Or, contact David Glatthorn at 866-413-5525.