You spoke with authorities about the collision in which another vehicle blew through the red light and T-boned your car. The vehicle is likely a total loss, and you are lucky to walk away seemingly uninjured.
However, only a couple of hours after the wreck, you experienced minor abdominal pain. It gradually worsened, representing a potential sign of internal bleeding. This may be a situation in which you are having delayed injury symptoms. Get to a hospital.
Headaches and abdominal pain
Delayed injury symptoms are a sign that something is wrong with your body. Such injuries could prove fatal if you do not receive prompt medical attention.
Here are some symptoms of a delayed injury that may occur after a motor vehicle crash or even a fall:
- Headaches: This along with fatigue and dizziness represent signs of a concussion or traumatic brain injury.
- A change in personality: Uncharacteristic behavior such as irritability, depression, mood swings and aggressiveness may be signs of head injury and even bleeding on the brain.
- Abdominal pain: Bruising and swelling are not uncommon, representing a sign of internal bleeding. Your liver, lungs, spleen and heart may have been damaged.
- Back pain: Stiffness in the lower back and increased pain point to potential injuries to ligaments, muscles and vertebrate. This injury often is the result of having your car struck from the rear.
- Neck and shoulder pain: Tenderness and increased pain in these areas are signs of whiplash.
- Numbness: This may have ties to whiplash, leading to injured people losing feelings in their arms and legs. Nerve damage is possible.
It may not be a minor injury
Minor injuries may not be minor after all. If you have been involved in a motor vehicle accident and experienced increased pain hours or even days after the crash, you likely have a delayed injury symptom. Do not ignore the pain, expecting it to subside on its own. Get immediate medical attention.