Being involved in a Missouri auto collision is usually a traumatic experience. Any number of issues can cause a crash, especially driver negligence. While it is often important to receive preliminary medical care at the scene of a crash, it is equally critical to seek a post-collision medical examination. Even then, it is crucial that a recovering accident victim closely monitors his or her condition for weeks because some injuries may be hidden.
It is common to feel upset and sore in the immediate aftermath of an automobile accident. Feeling sore may also be a sign of a more serious underlying problem, particularly if it relates to the back or neck areas. Spinal cord injuries and herniated discs are not always immediately apparent after a crash.
Never assume that a traumatic brain injury would be obvious after a motor vehicle collision. It can sometimes take days for symptoms to develop, which might include bruising behind an ear or under an eye, fluid leaking from the ear or nose, head or facial pain, difficulty forming coherent thoughts or sentences and impaired vision. A brain injury can quickly become a life-threatening condition, which is why it is so important to report symptoms and seek medical attention right away.
Emotional injuries can be severe after a Missouri auto collision. As with the types of injuries mentioned above, symptoms of psychological trauma may remain hidden for some time. Such injuries include post-traumatic stress disorder, which can be a debilitating condition, especially when left untreated. Obtaining proper medical treatment for injuries that resulted from a collision caused by driver negligence often leads to bills piling up that a recovering accident victim is unprepared to meet. The law enables people in such circumstances to seek financial recovery for their losses by filing a personal injury claim in a civil court.
