Catastrophic injuries can result from obviously violent accidents, but sometimes they also follow mild trauma that later reveals its consequences. No matter what circumstances precede a catastrophic injury, it’s imperative that you seek medical treatment as soon as possible.
This can be a problem, though, for injury victims whose symptoms are not immediately apparent. This is more common than you may think. There are several types of serious injuries that may not be apparent for some time after their occurrence. If you have sustained one of these, in addition to seeking medical treatment, you should consider consulting with a legal representative to protect your rights.
Traumatic brain injuries
According to the Mayo Clinic, some of the symptoms of a TBI include headaches, irritability, fatigue and sleeping problems — and these signs may not show up until weeks after the accident that caused them. In addition to physical and behavioral issues, you may experience impaired senses or sensitivity to sounds and bright lights.
Internal bleeding and bruising
Internal injuries are often not obvious because they may not involve broken skin or bones. They can be just as serious, though, if not more so. Some of the symptoms of internal bleeding or hemorrhaging that may eventually become apparent include dizziness, a feeling of weakness centralized on one side of the body, numbness and difficulty communicating.
Spinal cord injuries
Spinal cord injuries are some of the most dangerous a person can suffer. Impact from auto collisions or cuts to the spine may be the cause. Like the aforementioned injuries, though, the symptoms may not be immediately apparent. When they do arise, they might include weakness in the muscles, loss of coordination, numbness and oversensitive reflexes. If left untreated, such damage could result in permanent loss of mobility or even death.
If you notice the gradual appearance of such symptoms following an accident, do not disregard them. To get the proper treatment as well as be able to receive compensation, it is imperative to seek immediate medical attention to diagnose any potentially overlooked injuries.