Car accidents in Hawaii often result in physical damage to the vehicles involved, and sometimes the driver and/or passengers experience pain as well. The thing is that symptoms related to these crashes do not always show up right after the accident. Victims need to be aware of these symptoms because some of them are indications of serious injury that needs attention right away.
According to KTAR News, there are a number of common symptoms that may show up hours, days or even weeks after the initial accident. These include:
- Neck and shoulder pain – these are typical symptoms of whiplash, which is a common type of injury caused by vehicle accidents
- Headaches – headaches can indicate a number of different injuries, some of which are serious. These include neck injury, concussion, whiplash, brain injury or a blood clot.
- Tingling and numbness – another symptom of whiplash, these sensations can also be caused by a herniated disc
- Back pain – this commonly occurs due to muscle injury, but it can also be indicative of pinched nerves or herniated disc
- Abdominal pain – this symptom often indicates a life-threatening internal damage and bleeding
- Emotional pain – many people may not consider it, but being in a car accident can result in depression and other personality changes. These may be temporary or indicate more serious brain injuries.
Because serious symptoms may wait to show up, FindLaw recommends waiting to sign any release of liability statement or settle a claim right away. When you release liability it prevents you from receiving compensation for any medical care or missed work due to the accident. It is better to wait and see how you feel for a few weeks and receive the care you need to get better. You should also find out if you will need future care and how much that will cost.
