Are You Sore After a Car Accident
Getting into a car accident often jolts a rise in adrenaline from the accident itself, and the stress to the body during and after the incident.
Many people even with extreme injuries might not even feel them at the time the accident happens.
People with severe injuries like broken bones have been known to get up and move around after an accident.
Eventually the adrenaline wears off and the pain of the accident sets in, then you notice the severity of your injuries.
This can lead to panic and more stress since now you know you’re injured.
What happens though when you have no visible injuries and feel no pain immediately after an accident?
This is more common than you think, but eventually the adrenaline leaves and maybe you head home still not in any pain.
Then perhaps you take a nap and then you wake up and you’re suddenly sore all over.
This is all too common even without any severe injuries.
Your body has been jolted by the force of the accident and you can expect to be sore for some time.
There are many reasons that can cause you to be sore after an accident.
Some reasons are more serious than others and you should always be seen by a doctor immediately after the accident to rule out more severe injuries.
if you were injured as a result of the accident contact The Richard Harris Law Firm today for a free consultation.
Main Causes of Soreness After an Accident
Your body is thrown about in an accident and the force can give anyone soreness, even if you are not really injured.
You may not even notice that you’re sore until later on after the accident.
You should always seek medical attention after an accident even if you don’t think you’re injured.
You may have injuries that you’re not aware of or you may be in shock.
If you’re not injured and are sore for more than a couple of days you should make a follow up appointment with a doctor.
Continued soreness may actually be a symptom of something much more serious.
Common causes of soreness after an accident are:
Minor Injuries- These include cuts, bruises and abrasions. These injuries are usually minor and heal within a few days to a week. The area that has the cut or bruise and the immediate surrounding area may be the part that is sore.
Serious Injuries– Sprains, whiplash, concussions, or minor spinal cord injuries fall into this category and can take up to six weeks to heal. Larger parts of the body have soreness due to these injuries and the soreness could be much more painful than minor injuries.
Severe Injuries– Broken bones, severe spinal and head injuries fall into severe injuries. These injuries can require extensive medical care and take months to heal. Some more severe injuries cause ongoing pain and never fully heal. They may require continuous medical care.
Regardless of the type of injury or how sore you are, you can always seek medical attention immediately after an accident.
Help with Soreness After an Accident
Besides seeking medical attention there are some things you can do to help with soreness after an accident:
Ice and Heat– Every doctor will tell you that ice and heat can cure any bruise or bump. Ice helps with inflammation and numbs sore muscles. Heat relieves pain and can comfort you when dealing with soreness.
Chiropractor– A chiropractor can evaluate your posture, check for injuries and help with movement. They can get you out of pain quickly with an adjustment. You may need several visits to get relief from the soreness.
Set up physical therapy- If you have been injured in the accident your doctor may require you see a physical therapist while you’re recovering.
Massage- A massage therapist can help relieve muscle pain and injury and relieve soreness.
Stretching and gentle movement- Get moving, slowly get your body moving again, walking, yoga, stretching can increase blood flow and help relieve soreness from accident injuries.
You should always be cleared by a doctor before attempting home remedies.
Delayed Symptoms After an Accident
Delayed soreness after an accident is not uncommon.
Pain can start to surface as the adrenaline and shock wear off.
Soreness in the neck, shoulders, back and abdominal pain are common delayed symptoms.
Pain– Delayed pain is common, you can be injured and not know it immediately after an accident. Once you calm down you may notice pain starting to develop and you may notice you have some injuries.
Emotions– Anxiety and sleep disturbances are common after an accident. Emotional affect may be delayed even until something triggers these affects. This can happen, days, weeks, months or years after the traumatic event.
Other symptoms– Headaches, dizziness, fatigue and sleep pattern disturbances are other symptoms that may appear after an accident. These may be delayed like other symptoms and not show up for days or even months.
Reasons for Delayed Symptoms
There are many reasons that symptoms are delayed after an accident.
Even if you are sore other more serious symptoms may not appear immediately.
Some reasons that symptoms don’t immediately appear:
Adrenaline rush– Adrenaline is a hormone that is released during stressful situations that temporarily masks pain.
Inflammatory response– Swelling and pain from injured muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints can show up much later but are considered delayed symptoms and may even just present as soreness.
Micro tears– Micro tears in muscles, tendons and ligaments can cause pain and soreness to build over time.
Brains protective mechanism– The brain has an incredible ability to protect us when we are traumatized, keeping us focused on one thing.
The best way to diagnose injuries from soreness and pain is to seek medical attention after an accident.
Even if your symptoms are minor or you just consider yourself sore, you should always see a doctor.
Once you’ve seen a doctor, seek the help of an experienced lawyer to help you understand if you have a case against the other party in the accident.
The Richard Harris Law Firm is the best personal injury firm in Nevada with over 40 years of experience and recovering Billions of Dollars in compensation for our clients.
Our team can help you with gathering evidence and putting together a case to get you the compensation you deserve.
If you have been injured in an accident in Nevada call The Richard Harris Law Firm today for a free consultation.
