Several factors will generally determine how long you will feel sore after a car accident.
Sadly, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the amount of time it takes to heal will vary from person to person. For some, the soreness may drag on for days or even weeks after the accident occurs. This article discusses several factors that determine how long you can generally expect to feel pain and discomfort after an accident. We’ve also provided some tips on managing the pain and speeding up the healing process.
Factors That Determine How Long You Will Feel the Effects
Several factors can influence how long you will feel pain after an accident. These include:
The Severity of Your Injuries: Generally, the more severe your injuries are, the longer you can expect to feel pain. If you’ve suffered a broken bone or a concussion, you’ll likely experience pain and discomfort for some time after the accident.
The Location of Your Injuries: Injuries in certain body parts can be more painful than others. For example, a broken bone in the leg can cause more pain than a broken toe.
Your Age: Our bodies tend to heal more slowly as we age. This means that older adults may take longer to recover from an accident than younger people.
Your Health Before the Accident: If you’re already in poor health, you’ll likely take longer to heal from an injury sustained in an accident.
How Can You Manage Pain After an Accident?
The answer to this question should be discussed with a doctor. They often recommend several things to help manage pain after a car accident. These may include:
- Rest: It’s important to rest after you’ve been injured. This will give your body time to heal.
- Ice: Applying ice to the area of your pain may help reduce inflammation and swelling.
- Pain Medication: Over-the-counter pain medication may help to ease the pain.
- Physical Therapy: Physical therapy can help to strengthen the muscles around your injuries, which can help reduce pain.
- Massage: Massaging the injured area may help relieve some of the tension and discomfort.
- Hot Packs: Heating pads or hot packs may be recommended to help soothe sore muscles and joints.
It’s important to remember that everyone heals differently, so don’t be discouraged if you don’t feel better right away.
When Should You See a Doctor?
It is generally best to seek medical attention as soon as possible after a car accident, even if you feel ok at the time. You should also seek medical attention immediately if you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms:
- Severe pain that does not improve with medication
- Sudden swelling or bruising in an area near your injury
- Numbness or tingling in an arm or leg
- Difficulty breathing
- Loss of consciousness
- Bleeding that will not stop
A doctor will assess your injuries, prescribe the appropriate treatment and guide you on the road to recovery.
St. Louis Car Accident Lawyer
If you’ve been injured in an accident that wasn’t your fault, you may be entitled to compensation. At The Hoffman Law firm, our St. Louis car accident lawyers have over 20 years of experience helping accident victims get the money they deserve and can evaluate your case for free.