After a car accident you may walk away fine. But wake up the next day and your neck is sore. Then you can’t turn your head the next day and have a headache.
This can be frustrating if you told someone you weren’t injured. Some things just take longer to show up.
Here are some things to look out for:
What you’ll learn:
- Why Pain Can Show Up Later
- Symptoms That May Appear After a Crash
- When to Seek Emergency Care
- What to Do When Symptoms Start Late
- How Delayed Injuries Affect a Texas Claim
Why Pain Can Show Up Later
When a car hits another vehicle your head and/or body may lurch forward or hit the seatbelt. Most people are focused on their car or making sure everyone gets somewhere safe after an accident. They may not know that they have minor injuries until hours later.
A whiplash injury can happen after a forceful jerk to your neck. It can take hours or even days to show symptoms of a whiplash. You may not feel the symptoms of a concussion until hours or days after being injured.
Symptoms appearing later do not, on their own, confirm or rule out an injury.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that 1.9 million occupants were injured in 2024 on US roads in passenger vehicles. This is for all types of injuries, not just ones that show up after an accident.
If you are in pain after an accident make sure you get checked out. This will also document that you had symptoms after a car crash if you end up having a dispute with insurance. Someone can answer your questions if you have been injured and are wondering who is at fault. Speak to auto accident attorneys serving Houston about your claim in Texas.
Symptoms That May Appear After a Crash
There are many symptoms that can occur after an auto accident. They can hinder your ability to move or affect your thought process.
Neck stiffness and headaches
Your neck may feel sore after a car accident from whiplash. You could also feel pain in your shoulders or have headaches.
You may not realize that your neck is stiff until you try to look behind you while driving. You could also have pain that radiates down your neck or shoulders and can’t turn your head as far. If you have a headache that didn’t exist before make sure to see a doctor.
Dizziness and trouble concentrating
You don’t have to pass out to have a concussion. If your head is bumped or jerked forward it can cause a concussion.
Possible concussion symptoms include dizziness, nausea, sensitivity to light, trouble thinking clearly and memory problems. You may also have changes in your sleep, mood and energy level.
After an accident you may find it harder to do everyday tasks. Someone that knows you well may notice that you are acting differently.
Always have a medical professional evaluate you for a possible concussion.
Back pain and unusual sensations
You may feel pain in your back or shoulders when moving after an accident.
If you feel any tingling, numbness, sharp pains or weakness in your arms or legs it could be a nerve related issue. You should have a doctor examine you for these symptoms.
Chest or abdominal pain
If you were wearing your seatbelt and stopped suddenly, you can experience bruising. However, if you feel pain in your chest or stomach area don’t assume that it is a bruise.
You could have injuries that are internal from an accident. If you feel short of breath, pass out or have extreme pain in your stomach seek medical attention immediately.
Changes in sleep or mood
Some people may not sleep as well after an accident. They could also be afraid to drive again or feel anxious. These are not always signs that you have a mental illness.
Talk to your doctor if you continue to feel these symptoms.
When to Seek Emergency Care
Some symptoms should not wait until your next doctor’s appointment. Call 911 or go to the nearest ER if you experience:
- A headache that gets worse, repeated vomiting or a seizure
- Are confused, slurring your words, pass out or can’t wake someone up
- Have new weakness, numbness, can’t control your body or lose vision
- Experience chest pain, difficulty breathing or coughing blood
- Have extreme pain in your stomach and feel dizzy or faint
These can all be signs of serious injuries. Do not drive if you feel dizzy or confused after an accident.
There are other symptoms that you should speak to a doctor about as well. If your neck is stiff, you feel dizzy or are unable to perform normal activities you should be evaluated. If you take blood-thinning medication and may have sustained a head injury, seek urgent medical assessment even if you initially feel well.
What to Do When Symptoms Start Late
You don’t have to have an injury to be evaluated by a doctor. Just tell them what happened and what symptoms you’ve noticed.
Here are some tips:
- Get Evaluated. Let the doctor know when the accident happened. Did you have your body or head lurch during the accident? Let them know what symptoms you’ve been experiencing and if anything has improved.
- Document Everything. Write down when your symptoms started, where they are located and how they change. If you don’t know exactly when something happened, write down the closest time that you can remember.
- Save Documents. Any information that your doctor gives you, instructions, prescriptions, etc should be saved. If you have any bruises take pictures of them.
- Follow Up. Let your doctor know if you develop any new symptoms or if your pain is getting worse. Take your medications and do what your doctor tells you to.
Tell your doctor how it affects you. Are you able to look at traffic, sleep or sit at work?
Don’t diagnose yourself based on a list of symptoms. You could have many things that are causing your symptoms. If you were evaluated at the scene of the accident let your doctor know.
How Delayed Injuries Affect a Texas Claim
Having symptoms after an accident can lead to questions about if your injury was caused by the accident. Symptoms that appear days later neither prove nor rule out a connection to the crash. There are many factors that can be used to determine if your injuries were caused by the car accident.
Who was at fault for the accident is a separate question.
Under Texas’s proportionate-responsibility rules, a claimant’s damages are generally reduced by the percentage of responsibility assigned to them. A claimant who is more than 50% responsible cannot recover damages under those rules.
Proving that someone was at fault is different than proving that you have an injury. There may be witnesses, car damage and a police report that can help determine who was at fault.
You should also have medical records to show that you have symptoms after your accident. If an insurance company questions why you waited to see a doctor, you can provide your medical records and an accurate timeline of symptoms.
Be careful when deciding to settle your case if you are not sure what injuries you may have.
One Last Thing
It’s great to walk away from a car accident uninjured. But you may not know that you have injuries until later.
Make sure to be aware of any symptoms you may have after an accident and seek medical attention if you have any red flags. You can also speak to someone about your case if you are not sure what to do next.