Some injuries that Pennsylvania residents incur in a motor vehicle accident might not be obvious right away. For instance, whiplash symptoms may not even surface for 24 to 48 hours. Being aware of what sort of injury symptoms might suggest may assist in seeking help in a timely fashion.

Whiplash is one injury that is not symptomatic immediately after a crash happens. Early signs of headache accompanied by neck and shoulder pain might occur. Whiplash injuries often result when a vehicle is rear-ended, causing the neck to rapidly move forward and backward. This may occur even at slow speeds. In many cases, whiplash responds to conservative therapy. In some cases, the symptoms do not resolve and a patient requires additional medical intervention.

Headaches and neck pain may be caused by other injuries. Traumatic brain injury or an accumulation of blood on the surface of the brain may initially present with headaches. Neck pain might be due to vertebral damage in the cervical spine. In both cases, prompt medical attention may be life-saving. Numbness in the upper extremities may occur due to spinal involvement. Pain in the lumbosacral spine may be due to rear-end collisions or side impact ones, which occurs 50 and 75 percent of the time respectively. This happens when the spinal cord, muscles or ligaments are damaged. It may take time for the pain to intensify, so the extent of the injury may not be readily apparent. Abdominal swelling and pain may indicate trauma to the abdomen. This could herald bleeding into the abdomen. Over time, the loss of blood may be life-threatening.

A person who is injured in a car collision caused by another motorist may want to consult with a personal injury attorney to determine how to proceed. If negligence can be demonstrated, it may be advisable to file a lawsuit against the responsible driver seeking compensation for the medical bills and other losses that have been sustained.