9 Hidden Injuries After a Car Accident

The body's stress response during an auto accident releases adrenaline and endorphins that can mask pain and injury symptoms. This natural reaction, while protective in the moment, can prevent accident victims from recognizing serious conditions that require immediate medical attention. What seems like minor soreness could signal traumatic brain injury, internal bleeding, or spinal cord damage.

In this blog post, our trusted car accident lawyers serving Washington will explain the most common hidden injuries you should watch for after a car crash.

1. Delayed Knee Pain After a Car Accident

When a driver or passenger is involved in a car crash, they often strike their knee on the dashboard. This direct impact can cause serious injuries, and the pain isn't always immediate. Here are some of the potential injuries that can lead to delayed knee pain:

• Patella trauma: Striking the dashboard can result in a fracture of the patella (kneecap).
• Cartilage damage: The impact can also harm the knee's cartilage, often leading to a torn meniscus or patellar chondromalacia.
• Sudden braking: In some cases, a driver forcefully slamming on the brakes can cause the knee to be forcefully compressed, which may also cause knee and foot injuries.
• Delayed symptoms: The full extent of these injuries may not be immediately apparent. It can take time for subtle damage to develop enough inflammation to become noticeable, which is why you may experience knee pain months after an accident.

2. Whiplash and Neck Injuries

Whiplash occurs when the head and neck are violently jerked back and forth during impact, commonly in rear-end collisions. This sudden motion can damage muscles, ligaments, tendons, and nerves in the neck and upper spine.

Signs of whiplash and neck injury include:

• Neck pain and stiffness that develop gradually
• Shoulder pain extending to the arms
• Reduced range of motion in the neck
• Headaches starting at the base of the skull
• Numbness or tingling in the arms and hands

Many people dismiss neck pain as minor soreness, but untreated whiplash can cause chronic pain lasting months or years. The soft tissue damage from whiplash may not be visible on X-rays, making a proper medical evaluation necessary for accurate diagnosis.

3. Traumatic Brain Injury and Concussions

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) represents one of the most serious hidden injuries after a car crash. Even without direct head impact, the sudden acceleration and deceleration forces can cause the brain to collide with the skull, resulting in a concussion or more severe brain injuries.

Delayed symptoms of traumatic brain injury include:

• Constant headache that worsens over time
• Memory problems and difficulty concentrating
• Mood swings and emotional symptoms
• Difficulty sleeping or excessive sleeping
• Dizziness and balance problems
• Sensitivity to light and sound

Brain injuries often don't show up on standard imaging immediately after an accident. The delayed onset of symptoms can occur days or weeks later as brain swelling develops. Without proper medical evaluation and treatment, traumatic brain injury can lead to permanent cognitive impairment and long-term complications.

4. Internal Bleeding and Organ Damage

Blunt force trauma from car accidents can cause internal injuries to organs without visible external wounds. Internal bleeding is particularly dangerous because symptoms may not appear until significant blood loss has occurred.

Warning signs of internal bleeding include:

• Abdominal pain that increases over time
• Deep, aching pain in the abdomen or chest
• Dizziness and weakness
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Bruising in unusual locations
• Swelling of the abdomen

Internal bleeding can be life-threatening if not detected early. Damage to organs like the liver, spleen, or kidneys requires immediate emergency medical care. Even minor internal bleeding can worsen without proper treatment, making prompt medical evaluation after any car accident important.

5. Spinal Cord Injuries and Herniated Discs

Spinal injuries can occur anywhere along the spine, from the neck (cervical) to the lower back (lumbar). The force of impact can compress vertebrae, herniate discs, or damage the spinal cord itself. These injuries can lead to long-term chronic pain and mobility issues. If your condition is permanent and prevents you from working, it may be classified as a disabling condition.

Symptoms of spinal cord injury include:

• Back pain that radiates to the legs or arms
• Numbness or tingling in extremities
• Muscle weakness or loss of coordination
• Changes in reflexes
• Loss of bladder or bowel control
• Difficulty walking or maintaining balance

A herniated disc occurs when the soft center of a spinal disc pushes through its outer ring, potentially pressing on nearby nerves. This condition can cause chronic pain and mobility issues that significantly impact quality of life if left untreated.

6. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Car accidents are traumatic events that can have lasting psychological effects. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a serious mental health condition that develops after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event like an auto accident.

Emotional symptoms of PTSD include:

• Recurring nightmares about the accident
• Flashbacks or intrusive thoughts
• Anxiety about driving or being a passenger
• Depression and mood changes
• Avoidance of situations that trigger memories
• Difficulty concentrating at work or school
• Changes in sleep patterns and appetite

PTSD can affect personal relationships, work performance, and overall quality of life. Mental health treatment is just as important as addressing physical symptoms after a car accident. Professional counseling and therapy can help accident victims process trauma and develop coping strategies.

7. Deep Vein Thrombosis and Blood Clots

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs when blood clots form in deep veins, typically in the legs. Car accidents can increase the risk of blood clot formation through direct trauma to blood vessels, prolonged immobility during recovery, or as a complication of other injuries.

Signs of deep vein thrombosis include:

• Swelling in one leg (rarely both legs)
• Pain or tenderness in the calf or thigh
• Warmth and redness in the affected area
• Skin discoloration
• Cramping or aching in the leg

Blood clots are particularly dangerous because they can break loose and travel to the lungs, causing a pulmonary embolism, a potentially fatal medical emergency. Symptoms of pulmonary embolism include sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, rapid heartbeat, and coughing up blood.

8. Soft Tissue Injuries and Muscle Damage

Soft tissue injuries affect muscles, tendons, and ligaments throughout the body. These injuries to soft tissues may not cause immediate pain but can develop into chronic conditions without proper treatment.

Common soft tissue injuries include:

• Muscle strains and tears
• Ligament sprains
• Tendon damage
• Bruising and swelling
• Reduced flexibility and range of motion

Soft tissue damage can occur in the back, shoulders, arms, and legs. The injury symptoms may be mistaken for normal post-accident soreness, but persistent or worsening pain indicates the need for medical evaluation. Physical therapy and proper treatment can prevent soft tissue injuries from becoming chronic pain conditions.

9. Unusual Neurological Symptoms

Car accidents can cause unexpected neurological symptoms that victims and even medical professionals might initially overlook. One surprising example is persistent hiccups after a car accident.

Unusual neurological symptoms may include:

• Persistent hiccups lasting more than 48 hours
• Changes in taste or smell
• Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
• Vision problems or blurred vision
• Difficulty speaking or slurred speech
• Problems with coordination and balance
• Memory issues and cognitive changes

Persistent hiccups, while seemingly minor, can indicate damage to the phrenic nerve or brain injury affecting the medulla oblongata. This type of nerve damage can result from trauma to the neck, chest, or head during the accident. Any unusual symptoms following a car crash deserve medical attention, as they may signal serious underlying injuries.

Why Hidden Injuries Are So Dangerous

Hidden injuries pose unique risks because:

• Delayed treatment allows conditions to worsen.
• Symptoms may be mistaken for normal post-accident soreness.
• Insurance companies may question the connection between injuries and the accident.
• Medical records gaps can complicate personal injury claims.
• Some conditions become chronic without early intervention.

The body's natural stress response can mask pain for 24-48 hours or longer after an accident. What feels like minor discomfort initially can indicate serious conditions requiring immediate medical care.

Tips to Determine If You Are Suffering a Hidden Injury

Recognizing injury symptoms is one of the most critical steps to take immediately after an accident. Not all injuries are obvious, however, and the following symptoms are a sign that you should seek medical attention to diagnose a hidden injury:

• Changes in behavior or mood, like anxiety or irritability
• Flashbacks from the collision are a symptom of PTSD
• Trouble concentrating at school or work, which could mean a concussion or TBI
• Leg pain after a car accident that gets progressively worse
• Chronic fatigue — if you're tired all the time, you could have one of many hidden injuries
• Problems breathing, even when you're sitting still

Any of these car accident trauma symptoms could indicate a serious hidden injury. Early diagnosis is the key to a solid recovery. Additionally, if you delay seeking treatment, it could be more difficult for your car accident lawyer to argue that these injuries were from the wreck.

Taking Care of Your Car Wreck Injuries

Injuries from car accidents should not be taken lightly. If you're suffering pain and other car accident after effects (like the symptoms listed above), it's important to see a doctor immediately.

Here are some tips for taking care of yourself after an auto accident:

• Seek medical attention right away, even if you don't think you're injured
• Rest, and allow your body to heal mentally and physically
• Use ice on inflamed or swollen areas as directed by your physician
• Consider compression on soft tissue injuries
• Elevate the affected injuries above your heart to reduce the swelling

These are commonly recommended treatments, but your doctor's directions are the best course of action.

Don't Suffer in Silence — Let Us Help with Your Claim

Hidden injuries after car accidents can be just as serious as immediately apparent trauma. From traumatic brain injury and spinal cord damage to blood clots and PTSD, these delayed symptoms require prompt medical attention and proper treatment.

Our Seattle car accident attorneys at Lehmbecker Law can properly value your auto accident claim to determine how much compensation you're eligible for. We'll help you avoid lowball insurance offers and do everything we can to reclaim the full compensation that you're entitled to. To schedule a complimentary initial consultation, contact us today.