The moments following a car accident are filled with adrenaline, so much so that even if you’re injured, you may not experience pain. But as your body adjusts and your brain’s chemicals return to their normal state, the pain is likely to start. So even if you seek medical attention and have your injuries treated, you may experience soreness in the days following the crash. Let’s take a look at what a typical car accident victim can expect in the weeks after the event.
What’s Considered “Normal” Pain After a Car Crash?
While car accident injuries vary depending on the force of the collision, as well as the type of crash and the victims’ health status, there are common injuries that cause soreness after an accident. We regularly see clients with strains and sprains, whiplash, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal cord injuries.
How long you’re in pain depends on a number of factors, including where you were sitting in the vehicle at the time of the accident, whether you were wearing a seatbelt, the size difference between the involved vehicles, and whether your airbags deployed.
Everyone experiences pain differently, and some have a higher tolerance than others. In terms of injury severity, this doesn’t mean anything. But, someone with a lower pain tolerance could have a more strenuous time recovering if their pain isn’t properly managed.
Car Accidents and Delayed Pain
Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for car accident victims to experience delayed pain. It could be days until you start to experience pain and soreness for multiple reasons. For example, some injuries have signs that don’t present for a length of time.
If a doctor checked you out after the accident, treated, and cleared, but you’re now experiencing new pain, it’s important to follow up with the physician. It could be that your treated injuries are just now starting to bother you, or you could be dealing with an injury that wasn’t detected when you were initially treated. If you did not see a doctor after the wreck and are experiencing pain, make an appointment as soon as possible or head to your nearest emergency room.
Depending on the type of injuries you have and the severity of your pain, you may be referred to different specialists. For example, those dealing with chronic pain could see a pain management doctor, acupuncturist, physical therapist, chiropractor, or psychiatrist. Your primary care physician will be able to help you find the right doctor for your situation.
Recovery From Collision Injuries and Soreness
While your attorney won’t be able to tell you whether the pain you’re experiencing from your injuries is to be expected, it’s important to know that your pain should not get worse as time passes. It may take days, weeks, or longer, but you should continually be getting better in terms of the degree of pain you’re feeling.
Depending on the severity of your pain, your doctor may recommend different alleviating methods. Common treatment options include prescription pain medication, physical therapy, electrical nerve stimulation, epidural steroid injections, and surgery. Your doctor will likely also recommend rest and regular hydration, as both can help the body heal.
In some instances, car accident victims are left with diagnosable chronic pain. Persisting pain can result from broken bones, head injuries, back injuries, and neck injuries. Pain, particularly chronic pain, can have a significant impact on your livelihood. You may need to change jobs or stop working, and you may be unable to participate in activities you used to do regularly. If you’re in a situation like that, it’s imperative to get in touch with a lawyer as soon as possible.
Injured? Get Help From Thomas Law Offices
If you’ve been injured in a crash, our experienced car accident attorneys in Chicago are here to help. We understand how the lasting effect of a wreck can put a person out of work for weeks or even months. Instead of worrying about your finances and putting more stress on your mind and body while you recover, our law office can help you file an injury claim to seek compensation for your losses.
While your physical injuries will be easy to calculate in terms of what you’re owed, it can be more challenging to calculate soreness, which falls under a category referred to as pain and suffering. The more pain you’ve experienced and the more it has affected your life, the higher your compensation will likely be.
The sooner you get in touch with our law office, the better. Contact us today for more information.
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