Do not ignore these symptoms after a crash

After getting into a car accident, there are many things North Carolina drivers need to do. Sharing information with the other drivers, filling out a police report, figuring out what to do with a damaged car and finding a ride takes time, and it is often stressful. With all of the chaos, it can be easy to ignore subtle symptoms, but they can become much worse without medical attention.

According to Mayo Clinic, whiplash is common after an accident, especially a rear-end crash. The impact force causes the neck to move back and forth rapidly, and this injures the tissues, muscles and nerves in the area. The result is a variety of symptoms, and they are common in the days following a collision. Typical signs include:

• Headaches
• Neck stiffness and pain
• Difficulty moving the head
• Numbness or tingling in the arms and hands
• Shoulder stiffness
• Dizziness

When treatment, such as chiropractic and massage, occurs soon after the accident, the symptoms typically go away and there are no long-term issues. However, without treatment, whiplash can turn into chronic pain that lasts for years.

According to KTAR News, some symptoms show up hours or even days after the accident. One is swelling or pain in the stomach area. There may also be dizziness and bruising of the area. These signs often suggest internal bleeding, and treatment is necessary because it is life-threatening.

A vehicle crash can also result in a concussion. Symptoms include vision problems, depression, impaired memory or personality changes. Accident victims should seek care if they experience these symptoms to prevent worsening damage to the brain.