No matter how cautious and alert of a driver you are, you never can tell if a negligent or reckless motorist is going to interrupt your travel plans and turn an otherwise uneventful trip into a tragedy. You can adhere to every Illinois traffic law in the books; however, all it takes is one other driver to send a text behind the wheel or consume alcohol before driving to damage your vehicle and your health.
Concerning car accident injuries, your symptoms may not always be immediately apparent. It is a good idea to seek immediate medical attention in the aftermath of a collision, even if you think you are feeling okay. You’ll also want to pay close attention to how you feel in the days and weeks that follow because not suffering life-threatening injuries upon impact in a crash doesn’t necessarily mean you are injury-free.
Delayed symptoms that warrant medical attention
It can take a lot of mental and physical stamina to recover from a car accident. You might have trouble sleeping or eating and might feel upset when images of the crash replay themselves in your mind. You can expect any or all of these issues to occur as you recuperate. The following list includes signs that your body may have suffered more injuries than you first realized:
- You may have been well enough to return home a few hours after the crash. If your neck or shoulder starts to hurt any time thereafter, you might want to go back to the hospital for an exam because you could be suffering from whiplash.
- Any type of head pain warrants immediate medical attention after a car accident, whether it’s on the same day or weeks later. Headache is often a symptom of traumatic brain injury.
- In addition to head pain, toothaches, facial discomfort, vision problems or cognitive impairment are also red flags that should prompt you to visit a doctor.
- Losing feeling in extremities or back pain can signal a spinal cord injury.
- If your stomach hurts or your abdomen is swollen, there could be a serious underlying reason, such as internal bleeding.
- Emotional fragility and extreme or sudden mood swings may be symptoms of brain injury or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
It’s always best to seek medical diagnosis to at least rule out that how you’re feeling might be related to your recent car accident. It can also save your life if you are suffering from a condition that doctors didn’t catch the first time they examined you after the accident.
Recovery expenses
Medical bills, car repairs and other costs associated with an Illinois collision can throw your finances out of whack; in fact, you might completely unprepared to meet the expenses generated from the situation. The law allows you to seek financial recovery for your losses in civil court