Experiencing an auto accident can be a terrifying and overwhelming experience. Suddenly, you go from traveling down the road to facing thousands of dollars in medical bills and car repairs.
Often, the problems you need to solve all seem immediate, leaving little room to process what happened and figure out where to start. In the midst of assessing your most immediate need, you might overlook some easy-to-miss injuries.
Here’s what you should look for as you assess your injuries in the days following your accident.
Understanding your brain
Head and brain injuries can be difficult to detect in the moments after a collision. Typically, accident victims will dismiss head pain as a common headache without getting further treatment.
Injuries to the head are very common after car accidents, and head pain could indicate that something else is wrong. Pay attention to head-related symptoms, such as:
- Confusion
- Memory loss
- Changes in sleep patterns
In some cases, your brain may try to adapt to the injury, making it more challenging to diagnose. For example, rather than realizing you have memory loss, you may brush it off as normal forgetfulness.
Pay attention to what your friends and family have to say about your behavior after the crash. They may notice symptoms that you dismissed.
Seek medical attention
It is essential to talk to a medical professional both after your car accident and if you have more concerns in the following days. Often, when doctors can address an injury earlier, it can make it easier to treat and increase your chances for recovery.
