Drivers on the busy New York roads will always be vulnerable. The chances of being involved in car accidents are significant, and the consequences could cause long-term health problems. Too often, crash victims fail to go for medical evaluations because there are no visible injuries. The problem is invisible injuries may not appear for hours or days after the accident, and they could be life-threatening if internal damage were done to organs.
Some of the most common hidden injuries include those caused by whiplash. Even a low-speed collision can cause the sudden forward-backward motion of the neck and head on impact. This can cause severe stress on the bones in the victim’s neck that could result in chronic shoulder and neck pain, along with headaches and pain in the upper back. Whiplash can even cause concussions, shoulder injuries and pinched nerves.
If the driver or passenger also knocks his or her head in the crash, it can cause a concussion that might increase in time and become debilitating. Symptoms include dizziness, memory loss, headaches, vomiting and nausea, and over time, there could be concentration problems, personality changes, irritability and more. If an accident resulted in loved ones suffering traumatic injuries, or even death, uninjured victims could suffer post-traumatic stress disorder. Flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety and more can follow, and although there is no obvious physical injury, it must be diagnosed and treated promptly.
Victims of car accidents must keep in mind that prompt diagnoses of hidden injuries can avoid long-term health and financial consequences. Damages could be recovered through the New York civil justice system if someone else’s negligence caused the crash. An experienced personal injury attorney can assist with ensuing legal proceedings. A lawyer can also help with documenting claims for damages that include past and future economic and noneconomic damages.
