How Long Does Pain Last After a Car Accident?

Car accidents can vary widely in the severity of injuries depending on the circumstances.

Crash related injuries can range from minor scrapes and bruising, to much more serious life-altering damage.

In the hours after a traumatic accident, your body is flush with adrenaline, stress, and hormones which can mask the full extent of the damages.

Most minor injuries will heal fully within three to eight weeks, and it's entirely normal to feel sore after a collision.

Trauma to soft-tissues like muscles, tendons, ligaments, and nerves can be affected areas to be painful, sore, and stiff for weeks.

For example, 70% clients who sustain whiplash injuries average a pain duration of at least three months or more.

After a collision of any significance, it's essential to seek medical attention as soon as possible, to rule out more serious injuries.

We regularly encounter injury cases with victims experiencing delayed symptoms long after the car accident event.

It's not uncommon for pain to worsen, and people to realize the damage done is more serious than at first believed. In some cases it can cause lasting harm and even prove fatal.

Key takeaways: after a collision injury, get the medical and legal help you need. Don't be afraid to ask for help. Our car accident lawyers are standing-by and can provide you the answers you need to obtain the best possible outcome.

Depending on the nature of your injuries and the pain and suffering you are experiencing, your doctor will create a treatment plan. This may include prescription medications, physical therapy, rehabilitation, and a pain management protocol to help get you through the aches and soreness. Be honest with your doctor about the level of pain when you get checked out so they can accurately diagnose any problems and create an effective plan to mitigate your pain and suffering. Let your personal injury lawyer deal with any legal implications an accurate assessment of your physical condition may have. Generally, after an accident we recommend the following actions:

• Take it Easy:    You may be tempted to return to work, in spite of your condition. Don't try to 'tough it out.' Any stiffness and aches you may be experiencing are indications of injury, give yourself time for healing. If you were prescribed painkillers it may be making you feel more mobile and strong than you really are at the moment. Returning to work too early can cause more harm and worsen your condition, further delaying your recovery period. Review your case details with your injury lawyer, as you may be entitled lost wages for missed work in addition to compensation for medical and treatment costs and damages in a personal injury suit. When you've been hurt, take it easy, and let yourself heal.


• Sit Down with an Attorney:    Even in the case of delayed injury symptoms you have a right to file a claim so long as the statute of limitations has not expired. However, you should speak to an experienced personal injury lawyer about your rights and legal optoins to recover compensation for your pain and suffering you as soon as possible after a crash. They will be able to ensure you take the necessary steps to ensure your rights are protected.

At Lawsuit Legal our accident injury attorneys have helped countless victims with recovery. Never take persistent pain after a crash lightly, as it may indicate something more severe.

It's important to remember, if a car crash was strong enough to bend metal, it can cause significant damage to a person. The type of injuries sustained will affect how much pain you experience and how long it lasts. Experiencing pain is an indication of physical damage, don't be tempted to 'tough it out' after a serious car accident. Get examined by a medical professional as soon as possible. Types of pain can include:

Sharp Pain

Sharp pains are commonly described as shooting or stabbing, generally severe and acute. Whiplash, a common injury in car accidents, can result in sharp excrutiating pain along the neck and shoulders.

Aching Pain

Persistent aches and soreness is commonly experienced after an accident resulting from soft-tissue damage and the resulting swelling and inflammation. It's commonly bearable, but bothersome, but can get worse with time and movement. If it doesn't go away, it may be indicative of something more severe.

Radiating Pain

Radiating pain is described as fanning out from one location to another potentially causing numbness, tingling, and other sensations as it travels. Damage to nerves, neck or back pain can result in extreme pain radiating out to the arms and legs, or across the shoulders. For example, neck and shoulder pain can radiate into the head in some cases resulting in chronic headaches.

Throbbing Pain

Throbbing pain is felt swelling in intensity only to ebb for a short period before returning again in sequence. It can range in severity from excrutiating to mildly discomforting depending on the injury causing it. Dashboard knee injury victims with a swollen knee, for example, report a consistent throbbing pain of fluctuating intensity.

Exactly how long you will feel hurt after a crash will be unique to the circumstances of your accident injury. Many factors affect how long you will feel sore. Each injury is unique, and your ability to recover is impacted by a range of variables. If you suspect your aches and pains are lasting longer than they should, share this with your car accident attorney. They can help you see a doctor and ensure you get the x-rays and medical tests necessary to diagnose any underlying conditions which may have been missed initially.

The following delayed symptoms may indicate you suffered a more serious crash injury than you first thought. Painful aches that persist beyond a few weeks may call for examination by a medical professional again. Obviously, broken bones, fractures and serious wounds require treatment, but soft tissue injuries can be more deceptive. Always visit a doctor to rule out more serious conditions which can get worse if left undiagnosed.

• Headaches:    While a headache after a crash is to be expected, persistent headaches may indicate something more serious. Concussions are a form of mild traumatic brain injury and don't requite a direct blow to the head to occur. Headaches may be indicative of a whiplash injury when the headache is felt at the base of the skull and require a longer recovery. The whipping motion of the head in a forceful accident can cause damage to the soft tissue of the brain, and vascular damage can worsen with swelling. In the case of a intracranial hemorrhage, or brain bleed, it can be deadly if not diagnosed early.
• Neck Pain:    The muscles, ligaments, and tissue of the neck is especially susceptable to injury in the event of a collision. In an unexpected car accident the force can whip the victims head and tear the soft tissues. Left untreated, neck pain after a car accident can become chronic and be disabling for the victim.
• Back Pain:    Back injuries can take a number of forms. The force of crash can wrench the body of victims in a number of ways which can damage the muscles, ligaments, and tissue causing significant pain. We commonly encounter cases of sciatica, strains, and bulging or ruptured disc injuries. Damage to the spine, discs, and pinched nerves in the back should be taken very seriously. A spinal cord injury can result in disabling complications. Back pain, numbness, and tingling, should never be ignored. A fractured vertebrae or herniated disc may cause recurring back pain if not treated. Spinal cord injuries can cause life-long disability or paralysis.
• Chest & Stomach Pain:    Dull pains in the abdomen or stomach may indicate a life-threatening internal injury. A blow to the chest when hitting the steering wheel, dashboar of the vehicle, or being wrenched by the seatbelt, can cause internal injuries such as internal bleeding or cause organ damage. Any abdominal pain accompanied by bruises, swelling, and nausea should be examined by a doctor, preferably an internal medicine specialist, as soon as possible.
• Shoulder Pain:    Seatbelt injuries to the shoulder are commonly sustained by auto accident participants. We regularly encounter cases where the pain worsens in the days after the accident as swelling and soreness sets in. Shooting shoulder pains can cause significant discomfort and may be a sign of a whiplash-related injury as an underlying cause. Shoulder stiffness can result in mobility loss as swelling sets in. Shoulder pains associated with chest pain after a car accident may also indicate heart damage was sustained in the crash. If you are experiencing an irregular heartbeat or difficulty breathing, you should see a doctor immediately.

In most cases, seeking medical care provides the peace of mind you need so you don't have to worry about something more serious. The medical records are important as well to document your physical condition to support any subsequent personal injury claims with the insurance company.

Even a minor collision can be a anxiety causing traumatic event, and experiencing overwhelm, nausea, and vomiting immediately after an auto accident is common. A medical professional can order the appropriate X-ray, MRI, or CT scans to make sure more serious conditions aren't being masked by the shock.