why medical evaluations are important after accidents in maryland

When some accidents occur in Maryland, injuries to vehicle occupants are readily apparent, but when minor ones happen, everyone may seem okay at first. Although you may feel like you’re okay after a motor vehicle accident, even minor ones can bring about changes in your body that are not initially apparent. Injuries can appear slowly.

INJURIES THAT CAN DEVELOP OVER TIME

Motor vehicle accidents can transfer significant forces throughout your body. These are the five most common areas for injuries to appear after minor accidents slowly:

• Neck
• Brain
• Back
• Soft tissues
• Internal Organs

When left untreated, many slowly developing injuries can become chronic problems with debilitating results. Whiplash is the most common accident injury, and because it’s complex, symptoms and treatments can vary. It can also cause a concussion, which is a traumatic brain injury. Concussion symptoms include headache, confusion, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, memory problems, and tinnitus. Spinal injuries can cause numbness or paralysis that develops gradually. Back pain resulting from strained muscles can also occur. Soft tissue injuries to feet, ankles, knees and sometimes the joints of the arms can also develop. You may not even associate the pain in those areas with the accident. Finally, internal bleeding is often not immediately obvious, but as the condition progresses, it can become life-threatening.

THE IMPORTANCE OF PROMPT MEDICAL TREATMENT

Motor vehicle accidents can change your life, even minor ones. A thorough medical examination within a day or two of the incident is essential because of how some injuries develop. The examination is necessary for your long-term health, but it’s also crucial if you have sustained personal injuries due to the actions of a negligent driver. Prompt diagnosis and treatment can help prove your claim if you file an injury lawsuit.

Catastrophic injuries often get all the attention in accident claims, but injuries caused by a negligent driver in a minor accident can deserve compensation, too. For example, many minor fender benders cause injuries that need long-term physical therapy. A successful lawsuit can provide you with money for those treatments and compensation for pain and suffering.