How Do I Know If I’m Okay After a Car Accident?

February 10, 2025

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Posted in: Auto Accidents

Recognizing the warning signs after a car accident is so very important to protecting your health. While some injuries aren’t immediately apparent, they can still have lasting effects.

Car accidents can happen in an instant, turning an otherwise normal day into one full of uncertainty, pain, and frustration. Your top priority should always be your health and well-being, so the first step should be to identify any symptoms that could indicate an injury.

However, it’s not always easy to know if you’re truly okay right after a crash. Adrenaline can mask pain, and some symptoms take time to appear. Unfortunately, these delayed symptoms can sometimes indicate a serious condition like internal bleeding or neurological damage—issues that can get worse over time if left untreated.

Your health is too valuable to ignore. If you’re unsure about your condition, seek medical attention and stay alert to any changes. You need to be aware of warning signs after a car accident, just in case the worst comes to pass.

At Colling Gilbert Wright, our Orlando car accident lawyers are here to help. We know how overwhelming this time can be. If you’ve been seriously injured in a car crash, you may be able to pursue additional compensation for your losses. We provide FREE case evaluations to discuss the details of your claim and how best to proceed. Call us today at (407) 712-7300 to get started.

Common Symptoms & Warning Signs After a Car Accident

Being aware of the warning signs after a car accident can help you identify serious injuries before they worsen. It’s important to pay close attention to any physical or mental symptoms you experience. While some symptoms are immediately obvious, such as an open wound, others take time to manifest. Let’s take a closer look at both types of symptoms.

Immediate Symptoms

Immediate symptoms are typically the easiest to identify and attribute to an accident. These include:

Bleeding from open wounds
Pain or discomfort
Headache
Blurred vision
Nausea
Dizziness
Numbness or tingling (paresthesia)

If you experience any of these warning signs after a car accident, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible since they could indicate serious physical or neurological damage.

Delayed Symptoms

Unlike immediate symptoms, delayed symptoms are not apparent right away. It can take hours, days, or even weeks for the full extent of your injury to become apparent. This is sometimes the case with joint or spinal cord injuries, including whiplash, which can lead to delayed symptoms, including:

Ongoing neck or shoulder pain
Swelling
Bruising
Muscle spasms

Delayed symptoms can also be neurological in nature, leading to persistent symptoms such as:

Mood swings
Anxiety
Chronic headaches
Changes in sleep patterns
Fatigue
Confusion
Memory problems

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), such as concussions, can lead to symptoms like these and could indicate either a physical injury, such as swelling in the brain, or other neurological complications that require prompt medical attention.

When To Worry & Seek Medical Attention

While some degree of pain, stiffness, or psychological stress is not uncommon after car accidents, even minor ones, it’s critical to recognize when to be concerned and seek medical attention.

If you are experiencing immediate symptoms, such as bleeding or confusion, you should seek medical attention right away. However, if you do not have immediate symptoms but begin to worry about delayed symptoms over time, some signs that you should seek medical attention include:

Worsening pain or discomfort
Persistent neurological symptoms, such as numbness, tingling, or weakness in your extremities
Memory loss or other psychological symptoms
Swelling or bruising that gets worse or does not go away as quickly as it should

The sooner you address these symptoms with a medical provider, the sooner you can receive a diagnosis and begin treatment. Seeking treatment is also fundamental for documenting your injuries in the event you file a claim for damages.

Should You Always Get Checked Out After a Car Accident?

Even if you feel fine, watch for warning signs after a car accident that may appear in the hours or days following. While mild fender benders may not warrant a full medical evaluation, our recommendation is always to err on the side of caution for a few reasons:

You may not realize how serious your injuries are
Delaying medical attention will also delay your diagnosis and treatment
Failing to receive medical attention will make it very difficult to recover compensation for your damages

Getting checked out also usually brings peace of mind. The dangers of internal or unnoticeable injuries can be great, so making sure you are okay is never a waste of time.

How Do I Seek Compensation for My Injuries?

If you’ve been seriously injured due to the negligence of another party, you may be entitled to compensation for your damages.

Your first priority should be getting the medical care you need. After that, you must ensure your legal rights are protected. You or a trusted loved one should try to do the following:

Preserve evidence. If possible, document the scene and gather photos, video, and witness statements. Get a copy of the police report.
Report the accident. File a claim with your insurance company as soon as possible.
Keep medical records. Save all medical reports, treatment plans, and any correspondence about your claim. Keep a journal about the changes in your daily life and your progress.
Speak with an Orlando car accident lawyer. Having a distinguished legal advocate handling the ins and outs of your case will allow you to focus on your health and healing.

While Florida’s no-fault system provides Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage, you may also be entitled to additional compensation if your injuries are severe. A skilled and compassionate attorney can help you determine the best path forward.

Contact the Car Accident Lawyers at Colling Gilbert Wright for Help

Recognizing the warning signs after a car accident is only the first step—getting the right support is just as important. Medical bills, lost wages, and long-term symptoms can quickly become overwhelming, and insurance companies don’t always have your best interests in mind.

At Colling Gilbert Wright, we have spent decades fighting for injured Floridians, ensuring they receive the compensation they deserve. You don’t have to face this alone. Contact our Orlando car accident lawyers today for a FREE case evaluation, and let us help you move forward.