California residents who have been in an automobile accident may not notice their injuries right away. In many cases, symptoms of whiplash such as neck or back pain may not appear for several days after the accident occurs. Furthermore, numbness of the hands or legs may also take several days to present itself, and numbness is generally a sign nerve damage to the neck or spine.
While it may seem as if whiplash and associated symptoms may not be a problem in crashes that occur at slow speeds, this is not necessarily true. In fact, most whiplash injuries occur in rear-end accidents involving vehicles going less than 15 miles per hour. Those who are involved in an accident may also experience post-traumatic stress disorder, which may include nightmares or vivid flashbacks of the crash while awake. Children are especially susceptible to this.
Those who have been in a car accident may experience headaches one or more days after the wreck occurs. Individuals may experience internal bleeding that should be treated as soon as possible by a medical professional. Signs of internal bleeding include pain, swelling and purple skin around the site of the bleeding. Anyone who has been in a crash should be on the lookout for changes in mood or physical ability for several days after the event.
Those who have been injured in an accident caused by a distracted or drunk driver may want to consult with an attorney to determine the recourse that is available. In some cases, it may be advisable to file a personal injury lawsuit against the negligent motorist seeking damages for the losses that have been incurred.