Car accidents in New York can cause all kinds of different injuries and many of them are pretty serious. Depending on the nature of the crash itself and a wide variety of other factors, if you are involved in an auto accident you might escape with broken bones, bruises, lacerations, muscle damage, a head injury – and that’s only the beginning.

Injuries can result even from minor car crashes. Worse, sometimes you may not notice any symptoms for several days – or even weeks – after a car crash. Below we’re going to detail the types of injuries that are most commonly associated with car crashes, as well as why some injuries don’t show up right away.

Common Car Crash Symptoms and Injuries

If you notice any of these symptoms after a car crash, it’s likely they were caused by your accident:

• New pains
• Stiffness
• Muscle aches
• Limited range of motion
• Interrupted sleep
• Low energy
• Dizzy feelings
• Blurred vision
• Nausea
• Headaches
• Memory problems
• Difficulty with concentration
• Hazy thoughts

These may not seem like a big deal, but they can be signs of serious medical conditions and you need to visit a doctor for a thorough medical evaluation.  Also, a medical record is the single most important evidence to support an insurance claim or a liability lawsuit. You don’t want to be stuck with ongoing medical bills due to someone else’s negligence if you were otherwise entitled to have them paid by an insurance company.

The most common injuries from car crashes include the following:

Head Injuries

Concussions are known for causing headaches and disruptions to normal cognitive processes. Other brain injuries can cause permanent loss of function. You may also experience vision problems, skull fractures, and hearing loss from a car crash. Any of these conditions will require long-term medical care.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Any damage to the spine can cause lasting problems. Herniated disks are painful and immobilizing. More serious damage to the spinal cord can cause nerve damage or paralysis. You may have a spinal cord injury if you feel weakness in your muscles or tingling, pain, or numbness in your arms or legs.

Back Injuries

Your back muscles will often tense up during the accident impact. You may experience significant back pain after an accident that could require months of care or even surgery.

Neck Injuries

When the neck and head suddenly move back and forth, the surrounding muscles, tendons, and ligaments can be damaged. This can result in months of pain, stiffness and reduced range of motion and possibly surgery.

Chest Injuries

You may experience broken ribs, damage to internal organs, or collapsed lungs if you hit the steering wheel or dashboard. Any of these conditions will require emergency medical care.

Injuries to Extremities

Broken bones, torn ligaments, and muscle wounds are common in hands, arms, legs, and feet. They may require extensive treatment or surgery.

Cuts and Scrapes

Any object like a phone, book, pair of glasses or drinking mug can fly loose and cause cuts or scrapes. You may also be injured from hitting the car interior. Some cuts and scrapes will heal by themselves. Others may need stitches. If you notice any bruises that aren’t healing, seek medical treatment as they may indicate internal bleeding.

After a New York Auto Accident Injury

As mentioned above, sometimes you can be seriously injured and feel  fine at the scene. How is this possible? Because after a traumatic experience, your body releases endorphins and adrenaline that can help to block the pain from any harm that was done to you. Once those powerful chemicals wear off, though, you’ll start to feel any symptoms that were being masked.

Because of this, it is imperative that the first thing you do is see a doctor if you have any symptoms following the accident. After that, make sure that your next call is to an experienced New York personal injury attorney. A skilled professional who has successfully handled cases like yours before will be able to tell you whether or not you appear to have a viable case and let you know what options are available to you to get the compensation you deserve. Reach out today for a free consultation.