Many serious injuries are obvious. A laceration on someone’s head, for example, could lead to them bleeding profusely. When people break bones during car crashes, they may notice immediately due to extreme pain. The injury may also be visible, as their limb or extremity may twist at a grotesque angle.
Those with visible injuries often understand that they need immediate medical care following a crash. However, some people involved in motor vehicle collisions sustain invisible injuries. They may not have any immediate warning signs of an injury that could generate tens of thousands of dollars in medical expenses and affect their earning potential. The possibility of an invisible injury makes medical evaluation crucial after major collisions.
What is an invisible injury?
Invisible injuries are physical conditions that people cannot diagnose just by looking at the affected person. Many people refer to traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) as invisible injuries. A TBI can change a person’s overall mood and personality. It can create motor function challenges and cognitive changes.
Brain injuries can cause life-altering and permanent symptoms, and yet they are easy to overlook immediately after a traumatic experience. Symptoms often develop much later as inflammation and pressure on the brain increase over time. TBIs are not the only type of invisible injury.
Many internal injuries are invisible. Those forcibly restrained by their seat belts could have bleeding in the abdomen that could worsen without treatment from a medical professional. People can also sustain stable internal injuries such as fractures or incomplete spinal cord injuries.
Such injuries can be hard to notice, especially in the immediate aftermath of a crash that may have triggered a stress response. People are at risk of their conditions worsening slowly over time or abruptly due to secondary trauma.
Seeing a doctor is the best option
Individuals who sustain invisible injuries are at risk of their conditions progressing without treatment. They might not notice any symptoms for days or longer depending on the nature of the injury. Health care professionals have access to diagnostic systems that can verify fractures, internal bleeding and inflammation inside the skull.
Proper diagnosis paves the way for timely medical intervention. Health care professionals can stabilize injuries to prevent them from worsening. They can recommend treatment plans that help people control their symptoms and adjust to life with a serious invisible injury. The possibility of overlooking significant medical issues makes a trip to a doctor’s office or urgent care facility a smart decision after a motor vehicle collision.
Securing the right care can improve an individual’s medical prognosis and help ensure that they can seek compensation from the party at fault for the crash later. Drivers who are aware of invisible injuries are in the best possible position to address the aftermath of a recent car crash.