Car crashes are a constant safety concern for people in Pennsylvania. Drunk drivers, distracted motorists and even inclement weather can lead to collisions that put people in the hospital or leave their vehicles unsafe to drive.
Those involved in car crashes may require medical care and also time away from work, as collisions are a leading cause of severe injury. Usually, the first response that someone has after a collision is to check themselves and the other occupants of their vehicle for signs of a significant injury. They may then relay that information to emergency responders when they report the crash.
Although people often assume that they can recognize the signs of a significant injury, many people get hurt in a way that is not easy for them to self-diagnose after a collision. What types of injuries do people frequently overlook at the scene of a car wreck?
Seatbelt syndrome
The safety restraints in a vehicle keep people securely inside the vehicle when a crash occurs. They can potentially save someone’s life. However, the powerful force of the seatbelt stopping someone’s momentum can cause internal bleeding. People may feel discomfort in those locations while remaining unaware of the true extent of their injuries. Internal bleeding can continue to worsen if people do not receive timely treatment and might eventually put someone’s life at risk.
Traumatic brain injuries
There are several different ways that people can hurt their brains during car crashes. They might hit their head on something. Their brain could strike the inside of their skull if the vehicle rolls, spins or otherwise moves violently during the crash. They could even suffer penetrating injuries caused by glass and other debris flying through the air during the collision. Brain injuries often slowly worsen over time, much like other types of internal bleeding. It might be days before someone has symptoms that they recognize are a warning sign of brain injury.
Stable injuries
Traumatic injuries to the musculoskeletal system are often obvious. People can’t put weight on a broken leg, for example. They may not be able to move at all if they suffer any spinal cord injury. However, stable injuries may not produce immediate symptoms. A fractured bone can remain properly aligned and may only become debilitatingly painful after a secondary trauma. Incomplete spinal cord injuries may only produce minor symptoms, but they can also worsen if people do not receive proper diagnosis and care.
In general, those involved in Pennsylvania car crashes may require professional medical evaluation to identify otherwise invisible injuries. Getting the right help after a crash can improve someone’s prognosis and make it easier for them to request compensation later.