Common Post-Car Accident Injury Symptoms

Car accidents can change lives in the blink of an eye. While your car being damaged or totaled can be disruptive, car accident injuries can be forever life-changing. Not all car accident injuries are severe enough to need immediate attention at an emergency room. Sometimes, people walk away from a car accident and feel lucky that they weren’t injured. 

However, anyone involved in a collision should be aware of injuries that may have delayed onset that weren’t obvious at the time of the accident. 

Common Symptoms of Injury After a Car Accident

If you or a loved one has been in an accident, here are seven common post-car accident symptoms to watch for.

1. Whiplash Symptoms

Whiplash is an injury to the neck when the head is forcefully whipped back and forth. This is commonly seen after a rear-end car accident. The fast movement of the head can overstretch and damage the ligaments in the neck. Loose or torn ligaments can cause neck pain, headaches, decreased range of motion and several other negative symptoms. 

While most people with whiplash recover in weeks, many have pain for months or years after the injury. It is important to be evaluated immediately. Sometimes, these symptoms do not show up for weeks or even months, and not treating a whiplash injury could lead to a lifetime of issues.

2. Brain Fog or Tiredness

Tiredness after a car accident can be caused by the body’s healing process, which redirects energy to repair injuries. Emotional stress from dealing with auto insurance claims, car repairs and medical visits can also manifest as brain fog or physical tiredness. However, long-term symptoms like emotional distress, confusion, brain fog and chronic fatigue may indicate more serious injuries such as a concussion, brain injury or whiplash. 

Proper diagnostic testing and evaluations are critical to understand the severity of your symptoms and prevent further issues.

3. Numbness and Tingling

Our bodies have an amazing way of letting us know that something is wrong. Numbness or tingling in the hands, fingers, legs or feet is a sign from the nerves that something is off. After an accident, the discs between each spinal bone, and the ligaments surrounding them, can become damaged. Imagine a hard bone pressing down on a soft nerve — pressure can be put on the nerves that control every cell, tissue and organ in the body. 

Numbness and tingling are common warning signs after a car accident that there is too much pressure being placed on the nerves in the neck or lower back. Proper testing and examination must be done to determine how much pressure is being put on the nerve and create a medical plan to correct it.

4. Swelling or Stiffness

Swelling or stiffness in any area of the body is a common response to injury. It can occur in the limbs, neck or back and can be accompanied by pain. Swelling typically indicates inflammation, which is part of the body’s healing process and can reduce the range of motion in the affected area. However, if it persists, it will require medical evaluation to determine the underlying cause and appropriate treatment.

5. Back and Shoulder Pain

Pain in the back and shoulders can also arise from the sudden jolt of a car accident. Symptoms might occur from a muscle strain, ligament injury or herniated disc. You might experience radiating pain that travels from the arms to the legs, which could also indicate a nerve issue. Early intervention and proper treatment are important to reduce pain and prevent chronic conditions.

6. Abdominal Pain or Swelling

Seat belts pulling close against your stomach in an accident can cause pain that you might not feel until days later. Belts can cause internal injury, bruising or more serious internal bleeding. It’s critical to seek medical attention if you experience these after-car accident symptoms, as they could lead to severe issues.

7. Headache and Neck Pain

Post-accident headaches are not uncommon and may be a result of tension, whiplash or even underlying concussion symptoms. Headaches can range from mild to debilitating pain, often persisting for weeks or longer if you do not address it. Neck pain that occurs with headaches may indicate strain in the muscles or ligaments, which would call for a professional evaluation to rule out serious conditions.

What Are Hidden Injuries From Car Accidents?

Many of the above post-car accident symptoms can indicate hidden injuries. These are real injuries that may be difficult to detect without proper training and whose symptoms might not show up right away, making them even more challenging to find. It could take days, weeks and even months for symptoms from hidden injuries to show up.

Common types of hidden injuries are: 

• Concussion: A concussion is one of the most common forms of hidden injuries and is actually a mild form of traumatic brain injury. Even with a seat belt on, it is possible to hit your head in an auto accident. Undiagnosed, a concussion can result in long-lasting headaches, mood swings and memory loss.
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI): This is the most severe of the physical hidden injuries. The accident can cause swelling or bleeding in your brain. You may be completely unaware of it until the symptoms surface, like the loss of emotional or impulse control, memory or other brain functions. Left untreated, traumatic brain injuries can be extremely dangerous.

Psychological and Emotional Symptoms After an Accident 

Car accidents can be a traumatic experience, causing psychological and emotional symptoms on top of the physical ones. It’s important to pay attention to your mental health after an accident. Many people find themselves grappling with a range of emotional responses that can impact their quality of life:

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): One of the most serious psychological effects of a car accident is the development of PTSD. An auto accident is a traumatic event, and symptoms of PTSD can include anxiety, depression, fear of getting behind the wheel again, difficulty sleeping and problems focusing on even simple tasks.
• Anxiety and depression: Many accident survivors feel increased anxiety and depression after a traumatic event. It could manifest as a constant state of worry, fear of driving or being in a car, or a sense of hopelessness. These emotional states can impact day-to-day life and overall well-being.
• Irritability and mood swings: Emotional instability is another common symptom you can experience after a traumatic event, causing sudden mood symptoms and unease. These symptoms are typically due to the stress associated with the accident or any physical pain or discomfort from it.
• Social withdrawal: People might also find themselves withdrawing from social activities or isolating from friends and family. Withdrawal can stem from feelings of shame, depression, embarrassment or a desire to avoid reminders of the accident.

Recognizing and addressing these psychological and emotional symptoms is essential for recovery. Professional counseling can offer the support and coping strategies you need to process your experience healthily, work through emotions and feel better.

Are You Experiencing Injury Symptoms After a Car Accident?

Many people injured in auto accidents do not seek medical treatment and, therefore, deal with chronic pain that could have been prevented. That’s why a medical evaluation to rule out whiplash and soft tissue damage is so important. At Complete Care, our doctors can perform a proper exam, diagnose injuries and provide treatment. We also provide mental health counseling services to help you manage any anxiety or depression symptoms you might be experiencing after a car accident.

If you’ve been in a car accident, it’s a safe bet to get a screening, even if you aren’t currently experiencing symptoms. You could avoid a lifetime of issues by having an evaluation, making it essential not to wait. As little as 14 days without treatment can lead to a lifetime of pain. 

At Complete Care, we can help you heal from both physical and psychological symptoms. Call us today today to request a comprehensive evaluation.