Were you recently in a car accident in California? Injuries from a car accident can range from minor to severe, so you should take your health seriously in the wake of a crash. Soreness is a common consequence of an accident, which may be comforting to hear if you’re experiencing some level of soreness after a recent crash. However, you may be wondering how long you should still feel sore after a car accident.
Is It Normal to Be Sore After a Car Accident?
Feeling some level of soreness after a car accident is extremely common, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a cause for concern. Soreness can be the result of any number of injuries, ranging from minor bruising to severe internal bleeding.
It can take time for inflammation to set in, depending on the type of injuries you’ve sustained. This is why it is so important to seek medical attention after an accident, even if you think you’re fine. Only with a professional medical opinion can you be sure you’re taking the right actions to recover from your injuries.
Common Injuries You Can Sustain From a Car Accident
Depending on the severity of the crash, you can sustain any number of injuries. Some you may notice immediately, while others may take some time to reveal themselves. A car accident can put a lot of stress on your body, so it’s common to experience some level of soreness afterward. Some of the most common injuries caused by car accidents are back injuries, chest or rib injuries, concussions, fractures, soft tissue injuries, and whiplash.
Car crashes can take a toll on you both physically and mentally, and it’s important not to ignore the latter. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common side effect of a car accident and can impact a person’s ability to drive in the future. Moreover, it can affect their perception of pain and soreness in the wake of the accident.
Expected Soreness Levels After a Car Accident
You can expect to feel varying levels of soreness after a car accident, depending on the specific details of the crash. However, it’s expected that you would feel soreness set in within the first few days if you sustained small injuries such as mild bruising and stiffness. Here’s how much soreness you can expect depending on the injuries you’ve sustained:
- Back injuries. Minor back injuries from a car accident typically last somewhere about six weeks, though you can expect months of soreness if the injury impacts your spine or discs.
- Chest injuries. Bruising and soreness in your chest are common in car accidents, thanks to your seatbelt. Chest bruising can take weeks or months to heal.
- Concussion. Most concussions can resolve themselves within seven to 10 days of an incident as long as you are taking proper care of yourself. That said, you may have some level of pain in your head beyond those 10 days, especially if you also experienced whiplash.
- Fractures. Common fractures from a car crash include broken arms, collarbones, legs, or ribs. It can take six to 12 weeks for bone fractures to heal, but you can expect some lingering soreness beyond that.
- Soft tissue injuries. If you sustain soft tissue injuries like sprains or tears in your ligaments, you can expect soreness to last anywhere from weeks to months. Chest injuries, back injuries, and head injuries can be more lasting.
- Whiplash. People who suffer from whiplash due to a crash can expect symptoms to last anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the severity of the injury.
FAQs
Q: Should I Seek Medical Attention After a Car Accident?
A: Yes, it’s wise to seek medical attention after a car accident, no matter the severity of the incident. In less serious crashes, your injuries may not be apparent right off the bat, thanks to the adrenaline coursing through your body and the delayed onset of some types of symptoms. It’s wise to get checked out by a professional as soon as possible so you can begin recovering and decide if you want to pursue legal action to cover potential medical bills.
Q: How Does a Car Accident Cause Muscle Pain and Soreness?
A: It’s possible to feel sore after a car accident even if you weren’t seriously injured. The force of the accident can cause strain on your body in a number of ways, especially if you tense up while bracing for impact. It’s common to experience muscle soreness from this tensing up, as well as whiplash from the force of the impact. Additionally, the seatbelt pressing into your body can cause bruises and soreness.
Q: How Do You Get Rid of Soreness After a Car Accident?
A: The simplest remedies for easing soreness after a car accident include resting, hydrating, and using ice and heat in the recommended intervals. Engaging in gentle activities like stretching and yoga can also help to increase strength and mobility by promoting healthy blood flow. Your doctor can give you a more specific regimen for taking care of yourself after an accident, based on your specific injuries.
Q: What Are Delayed Symptoms After a Car Accident?
A: While car accidents often cause noticeable injuries right away, it’s also common for you to experience delayed symptoms for hours, days, and even weeks after the incident. This is due to adrenaline blocking your pain receptors to protect you in the immediate wake of the accident or due to the nature of the injuries you’ve sustained.
Common delayed symptoms from a crash include blood clots, delayed bruising, internal bleeding, post-concussion syndrome (PCS), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and whiplash.
Reach Out to a California Vehicle Accident Injury Lawyer to Learn More
The aftermath of a car accident can leave you with a lot on your plate. Between dealing with your damaged vehicle and your insurance company and determining if you can be compensated for the incident, your physical health may not be high on your priority list — especially if you weren’t seriously injured.
That said, it’s wise to err on the side of caution when it comes to checking for injuries after a crash to ensure no health issues arise down the road. If you’re seeking compensation for a recent accident and want to focus on your recovery, contact an experienced California vehicle accident injury attorney to represent you.
Our team at Guenard & Bozarth, LLP, has decades of experience handling personal injury cases in California, and we’re prepared to offer personalized care that helps you recover the compensation you’re owed. Contact our office to set up an appointment, and we can discuss your case in more detail.
