5 Signs Your Minor Car Accident Might Be Worse Than You Think…
Don’t confuse “minor car damage” with “minor accident.” Research has proven most whiplash neck injuries occur in slow speed accidents of around 12 mph. Studies also show crashes with minor visible damage are worse than when cars have heavier damage.
DR. BARRY MARKS, CHIROPRACTOR, CAR ACCIDENT INJURY EXPERT in ORANGE COUNTY
With that in mind, here are 5 signs your accident has caused an injury:
1. Headache immediately after impact
This is a common sign your brain suffered shear forces and you may have a concussion
2. Neck stiffness in first minutes to 48 hrs
Early neck stiffness indicates inflammation in the joints due to injury. You have likely suffered sprained ligaments besides just muscle strains.
3. Sharp neck pain on movement
Sharp pains during motion means you likely have ligament damage and the joints are not aligning well while moving.
4. Pain, numbness or tingling down the arm and/or into the fingers
These whiplash symptoms indicate nerve irritation in the neck. Nerves have been stretched or compressed causing them to become inflamed.
5. Feeling drowsy during day or feeling tongue tied
Besides headache, these are two of the most common signs of concussion. When your head is shaken hard, the brain tissue becomes “bruised” and inflamed, causing malfunction. A mild concussion can be subtle and missed in the ER or urgent care.
Low speed, low vehicle damage car accident injuries are common…
Sometimes we want to minimize things because we don’t want to confront the fact that we may have to act. Most of us have always been conditioned to believe the myth that “if your car isn’t hurt, neither are you.” It’s a total lie designed to make you question yourself and allows the auto insurance industry to reap great profits at your expense. In the case of whiplash neck injuries, delaying proper care will only make things worse.
After a car accident and even if you have only 1 or 2 of these symptoms and even if they are mild, get checked by a car accident medical expert. If it is a minor injury then treatment will be quick. But if it’s more serious at least you will prevent prolonged suffering by addressing the issue up front.
