Whether you’re behind the wheel or a passenger, the scene plays out rather similarly. You’re speeding along when, suddenly, there’s a loud noise. It seems almost disconnected from reality until it clicks that it’s way too close, and the car lurches. For a moment, you’re suspended. The world is happening around you, but you can’t keep up with the events or comprehend them. Then it’s over, and you’re sitting exactly where you were, with your car in a state of disrepair. 

Once the initial panic has faded, you might feel like it’s a miracle you weren’t seriously hurt. But that may not always be the case; there are some possible car injuries you should look for after an accident, which is why it’s essential that you get checked out by a paramedic as a precaution. Here are three of those potential injuries to watch out for.

Herniated Disk

A common car accident related injury is the herniated disk. This is when one of the disks in your spine, held in place by two vertebrae, begins to slip out of place. It can cause numbness, tingling, and even extreme pain where the nerve is being pinched. You’ll usually notice this pain in your lower back or right above the hips. It may even radiate down as far as your calves, depending on the severity of the condition. 

Concussion

People think that concussions only happen if you hit your head, but that’s not the case. They are also possible when you are tossed back and forth (otherwise known as whiplash) or if your body is hit hard enough that it causes the brain to hit against the skull. A concussion affects different parts of the brain, and effects can vary in severity. 

Here are some of the most common symptoms to look out for:

• Dizziness
• Headache
• Nausea
• Confusion
• Blurry vision
• Irritability
• Changes or inconsistencies in sleep patterns
• Brain fog

Knee Injuries

A car accident can lead to a variety of knee injuries, such as a shattered knee cap or damage to the cartilage. How you injure your knees depends on how you moved during the crash, which you may not have thought a lot about at the time. If you jerked your knee upward, for instance, the pain in your knee is probably from a shattered knee cap. If you were the driver and you slammed on the brakes, you likely damaged your cartilage. These are serious injuries that require a doctor and often need surgery. 

Not sure what to do after if you’ve been injured in a car accident in terms of medical expenses, recovery, lost employment or otherwise? Our dedicated personal injury lawyers at Zuber Brioux can help. With over 30 years of combined experience working in the Kingston area, we have the expertise you need to get the settlement you deserve. Contact us for more information or to book an appointment.