In a serious collision, vehicle occupants can suffer catastrophic injuries. From brain trauma and spinal cord damage to broken bones and amputation, drivers and passengers alike can struggle with severe conditions following a crash. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for medical professionals to misdiagnose soft tissue injuries or miss an injury altogether due to a delayed symptom.
After a collision, vehicle occupants often struggle with injuries associated with whiplash. Whiplash itself is the violent back and forth motion that puts enormous strain on the muscles of the neck and upper back. Additionally, this jarring movement can cause the brain to impact the inside of the cranium leading to closed-head traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Unfortunately, many of these symptoms can either lay dormant or do not reach their full severity for hours, days or even weeks after the collision, including:
- Blurred vision
- Fatigue
- Numbness in the extremities
- Weakness in muscles in the arms or legs
- Cognitive impairment
- Trouble sleeping
- Memory trouble
Unfortunately, medical professionals often overlook these symptoms as simply being associated with general pain or overall trauma from the collision. They fail to recognize the syndrome itself and symptoms associated with whiplash. These injuries can present months after an injury and last for a significant amount of time without a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
Following a collision, it is crucial that vehicle occupants immediately seek a thorough medical diagnosis. Even if symptoms seem minor, they could mask a severe injury and devastating condition. Whiplash severity can impact an individual’s ability to maintain gainful employment and live a pain-free life.