A serious car accident can result in many major injuries that are plainly visible, including broken bones, burns, cuts and bruises, and external hemorrhaging. These injuries are easy for medical professionals to spot at the scene of the accident or the hospital immediately after, but what about injuries that you cannot see with the naked eye?
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are one of the examples of unseen injuries that can prove to be deadly. TBIs result in tens of thousands of deaths every year, and part of what makes them so deadly is how difficult it is to recognize them. If you have suffered in a serious car accident, here are four other major hidden injuries that you should be sure that your medical professional is looking out for:
Shoulder injuries
The joints in the human body are more delicate than we expect them to be. Even in accidents where you are able to walk away with only minor cuts and bruises can still mean that you have suffered considerable damage to your shoulder. Violent twists or blows to a shoulder can result in deep bruising or tearing in ligaments that could call for surgery.
Knee injuries
When a vehicle collides with your car door, your knee is often in the dead center of the area of impact. An accident can cause a torn meniscus or a shattered knee cap and call for surgery that may never bring your knee function back to 100%.
Spine injuries
Your spinal column is a delicate tower of bones that protect the central highway for your nervous system. If the accident pushes even one of your vertebrae out of alignment, it can cause you to suffer incredible pain, numbness, or even loss of control or paralysis.
Emotional trauma
Doctors and paramedics can easily overlook psychological trauma after an accident, as it can take days or weeks to develop, and these professionals often do not have the qualifications to identify such an issue. A car accident can leave a victim with phobias of driving, going outside, or even being in a car and take years or a lifetime to overcome.
Do not neglect your injuries
If you went home after a car accident and feel as though something is just not right with your body, do not wait for things to get better on their own. A hidden injury from a car accident can still come with lifelong consequences, even if you cannot see it. If you suspect that you have one of these, or other injuries, consult with a doctor or psychologist right away.