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Delayed Injury Symptoms After an Anchorage Car Crash

Law Office Of Jason Skala April 8, 2022

Being involved in an Anchorage car crash can be a very stressful and painful experience. Car accidents take place thousands of times per day in the United States, and millions of times per year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Injuries that result from car accidents can be debilitating in nature as well as life-changing. Some of these injuries are obvious and immediately apparent directly after the crash occurs, such as a broken leg, back, or paralyzation. However, some injuries do not show immediate symptoms until days or even weeks after the crash takes place. In the following paragraphs, we will discuss some delayed injury symptoms to look out for in the event that you have been involved and injured in an Anchorage car accident.

Car accidents are generally terrifying experiences, even when no severe damage took place. Everyone reacts differently to involvement and injury in an accident. Some may experience what is known as a mental fog that makes it increasingly difficult to focus or think clearly. Others may find their minds racing after an accident, flooded with thoughts and concerns around their accident and its resulting consequences.

On top of the emotional trauma and mental disorientation, sometimes serious physical damage can be caused by car accidents that are difficult to notice right away. Even severe physical issues may not present noticeable symptoms for several days.

The first six weeks or so after a whiplash injury is suffered, conservative care is usually issued. Chiropractic care, massage, and physical therapy may all be included in a comprehensive healing program regarding whiplash. Pain that extends past the six-week mark without any improvement with conservative care is deemed appropriate to seek the assistance of a pain management doctor.

Prevalent Symptoms that Are Often Delayed After a Car Crash

For those who have been involved in an accident but are unsure of their resulting injuries, here are some of the most prevalent symptoms that can appear several hours or days after their accident.

  • Headache: It is common to develop a headache several days after involvement in a car accident. Occasionally, a headache after an accident, especially a few days after, can signal a more serious problem such as a concussion or brain injury, a blood clot in the brain, or a neck/muscle injury that will only get worse without treatment.

  • Shoulder/Neck Stiffness: A classic delayed injury symptom of car accidents, whiplash often causes shoulder/neck stiffness that usually arises a few days after a crash. In most cases where whiplash occurs, it takes place due to a rear-end collision at speeds less than 14 miles per hour. These injuries can be serious and can require CT scans, x-rays, or MRIs.

  • Back Pain: Pain in the back that takes place after a car crash could be due to muscle injuries, vertebrae injuries, or injury to the ligaments or nerves in the back. Sometimes this pain does not arise until a few days after the crash due to the resulting numbness that takes place beforehand.

No matter whether you have a few symptoms, many symptoms, or no symptoms at all, it is always in your best interest to seek medical attention after involvement in an accident, no matter how small the crash may have seemed. Some injuries are low-key at first and then grow into unmanageable monsters as time wears on. If you seek the help and guidance of a medical professional immediately after your crash, you won’t have to worry about minor injuries turning into major ones.

You can access the Alaska Department of Transportation for safety tips while driving in Alaska’s rough terrain and more pertinent information concerning car crashes in Alaska.

The Law Office of Jason Skala has been serving the injured accident victims of Anchorage and the surrounding cities for over a decade. Jason Skala, a skilled Anchorage personal injury lawyer, has the experience and knowledge necessary in order to successfully litigate your claim and get you the financial compensation you may be entitled to. Call the Law Office of Jason Skala today for a free consultation and case evaluation in the event that you have been involved and injured in a car accident in Anchorage.