Just because you don’t show visible signs of damage after a bad accident does not mean you should be complacent. Internal injuries can be hazardous and sometimes manifest several days after the incident that caused them.
For this reason, make sure to always listen to your body and watch out for seemingly minor symptoms, such as the following:
- Dizziness. Feelings of nausea after an accident could indicate a concussion, brain injury, or blood clot in your brain.
- Tinnitus. Ringing inside your ears, accompanied by a headache or not, may be another sign of brain injury.
- Stiff neck. Stiffness in your neck indicates muscular or spinal damage.
- Tingling. A tingling feeling in any part of your body may point to damage to your spine or nerves.
- Knee pain. A swelling knee could indicate an injured ligament or a damaged joint.
Some of these symptoms appear suddenly and persistently. Sometimes they may also start mild and worsen over time.
Should you go to a doctor?
Post-accident internal injuries can severely affect your well-being and quality of life. Some of these injuries can cause long-term and debilitating pain, while others may be life-threatening without prompt medical intervention.
For these reasons, consider going to your doctor when you experience any symptoms, even those you can tolerate. Doing so ensures you receive appropriate treatment before your symptoms persist or worsen.
Going to the doctor may also help you secure official documentation about the type, extent, and severity of your injuries. Such information might be helpful when you seek compensation or make an insurance claim.