Like many of your friends and family members, you drive to work and other places. You also likely understand that car accidents can happen virtually anywhere at any time. In fact, in 2018, there were 402,592 automobile collisions on Florida roadways. That means there was a car crash approximately every 76 minutes somewhere in the Sunshine State.
Unfortunately, according to 2018 crash data, more than 250,000 individuals sustained some type of injury in an automobile accident. Not all injuries appear immediately. That is, your body’s stress response may mask serious medical problems. Here are three types of hidden ones you may suffer in any car crash:
1. Whiplash
Whiplash is a common injury in rear-end, side-impact and other types of collisions. The injury occurs when your head moves rapidly in multiple directions. If you develop whiplash, you may have stiffness, soreness or loss of motion in your neck. You may also experience pain or numbness in your arms, wrists or hands.
2. Soft-tissue injuries
Your body has ligaments and other connective tissues that facilitate movement. Unlike broken bones, which are easy to locate with an x-ray, soft-tissue injuries are sometimes difficult to identify. Still, if you sustain one, you may not be able to participate in everyday activities, including work and recreation.
3. Traumatic brain injuries
TBIs typically happen when your brain smashes into your skull. While you may have no visible signs of injury, a TBI can cause confusion, loss of vision, memory problems and other complications. Often, diagnosing a TBI requires high-definition scans, such as an MRI.
Because you may not realize you have sustained a serious injury in a car crash, it is vital to always seek medical care after any accident. Furthermore, you must watch for hidden injuries to appear in the aftermath of a crash. After all, if you do not commit to a full recovery, hidden injuries may turn into life-altering and life-limiting ones.