There are 6,000,000 car accidents per year in the US. Of those, about 30% result in injuries that require immediate medical attention. But not all injuries are immediately apparent; some take days or even weeks to show symptoms. Identifying and mitigating these conditions starts with understanding latent car crash injuries.
Latent Car Accident Injuries Explained
Car accidents generally inflict blunt force trauma. That means as someone bounces around the cabin, nothing cuts or pierces their skin, but the sheer force of impacting with the vehicle is so strong that it causes internal injuries.
These injuries may go unseen or unnoticed for several weeks. Without bruises or immediate pain, they could very well be invisible. However, something as small as a hairline fracture could become much worse when left untreated.
Examples of Latent Car Accident Injuries
While there are many examples of latent car accident injuries, the four most common examples are:
· Whiplash: When the neck suddenly jerks back and forth, resulting in pinched spinal discs or even nerve damage.
· Dashboard Knee: A tear or rupture to the knee’s ligament caused by the shinbone being pushed backward.
· Fractures: Bone may break when the forces of a crash apply too much physical stress. Hairline fractures can be difficult to notice without excessive movement.
· Organ Damage: As the body bounces around, internal organs may be punctured and begin leaking blood into the rest of the body.
Why Victims Should Go to the Doctor
The best way to identify and treat these injuries is to go to the doctor immediately after the accident. Making personal health a priority ensures that doctors find potential damages as soon as possible. It also sends a powerful message to the insurance companies, telling them that the injury was severe enough to treat the same day.
If you suffered serious injuries in an auto accident, we are here for you. If you’d like an experienced Atlanta auto injury attorney from The Mabrey Firm to evaluate your case, please send us an email or call .