Being in a car accident is a serious condition, but you may not realize the extent of your injuries right away. Some injuries such as lacerations are typically noted quickly. However, with the high adrenaline levels after an accident, victims can walk away and then start to realize that something is wrong hours and even days later.

Unfortunately, getting compensation for this type of delayed injury might not always be easy. Medical documentation is important so it's best to seek out medical treatment promptly. However, for those that may not have had any initial problems, there are some common delayed injuries after an accident.

Headaches

It may take a few days after being in an accident for you to notice that you have headaches. They may not even be noted as being associated with the accident. Headaches can be a sign of a more serious problem such as a concussion or a blood clot. You may be experiencing them even if you didn't hit your head. Make sure to seek out a medical professional if you start to experience this being a problem.

Neck and Shoulder Pain

Being in a car accident often means being the victim of whiplash. This is actually the most common delayed injury when it comes to car accidents. Whiplash frequently occurs after you've been read-ended when the nerves, muscles, and joints in the heck are extended beyond their normal range of motion. Since this is a serious condition, you may need to have x-rays, CT scans, and even an MRI to diagnose the problem.

Abdominal Pain

After an accident, abdominal pain can go unnoticed and may even be life-threatening. Since this can be a serious sign of internal bleeding, it's best to seek out medical attention right away. Headaches, bruising, fainting, and dizziness may also be experienced. Internal bleeding is not something that you can detect on your own. It will have to be diagnosed and treated by a medical professional so you're best off seeing your doctor.

Numbness and Tingling

This symptom that frequently occurs in the hands and arms may be a sign that you've experienced damage to the neck or spinal column. It may take hours after the accident for symptoms to develop. People who have a herniated disk in a car accident may experience this sensation long before they have any back pain. Having an x-ray or other image testing after an accident can help to identify this injury and allow yourself to be treated before symptoms become any worse.

Although some injuries may not show up right away, you should pay special attention to your body if you start to notice any of these symptoms. Be sure to seek out a medical professional and let your doctor know that you've been in an accident to allow for appropriate testing. Once you have medical concerns, working with a personal injury attorney can let you know how to seek out compensation and ensure that your injuries are covered. Make sure to have your doctor document the injuries so you can refer to them as needed.