In 2015, more than 2.1 million Americans were injured in car accidents across the country, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. This was the highest number of injury accidents in nearly ten years.
It is estimated that the average driver will be involved in at least four accidents throughout his or her lifetime. This averages out to be one accident every 18 years.
A car accident can be a traumatic and terrifying ordeal for everyone involved. Immediately after an accident, you may believe that you are uninjured. You may even head home after the crash feeling lucky to have escaped without injury.
Unfortunately, this may not be the case. Some serious injuries can take hours and even days to become fully apparent. Family members should monitor their loved ones closely after a car accident.
If you notice any of these symptoms, seek emergency medical treatment immediately.
- Sleeping a lot
- Persistent headache
- Numbness or tingling
- Abdominal pain or nausea
- Bruising or discoloration
- Swelling or stiffness
Sleeping Too Much After an Accident
After a car accident, one of the most worrisome symptoms is excessive sleeping. Sleeping too much after a car accident can be a sign of a serious and life-threatening head injury.
The violent forces of a car accident are sometimes enough to cause significant damage to the brain, even when there are no signs of physical trauma. As the swelling and damage worsen over the hours or days following a car accident, accident victims may feel excessively tired or lethargic. They may also develop other symptoms, such as nausea and vomiting or severe headaches.
When this occurs, it is important to seek emergency medical care immediately. A traumatic brain injury can be life-threatening if not diagnosed and treated quickly. Without prompt medical attention, accident victims may suffer lifelong effects.
Sleep disturbances are one of the most common symptoms associated with traumatic brain injuries. In fact, up to 70% of all patients with even mild traumatic brain injuries reported poor sleep or excessive sleep after their injury.
In the initial days and weeks following the injury, car accident victims with a brain injury commonly report hypersomnia or excessive sleeping. This excessive sleeping can last for weeks following the injury.
Recent research, published in Neurology, indicates that the majority of traumatic brain injury survivors experience excessive daytime sleepiness for up to 18 months following the initial trauma.
Other sleep disturbances, such as insomnia can persist for up to three years after a concussion.
Sleeping Too Much and Depression
The emotional aftermath of a car accident is something that affects everyone differently. Many car accident victims experience a wide range of emotions in the days, weeks, and months following the crash, including anger, sadness, guilt, and fear.
These feelings are common after surviving a traumatic event, such as a car accident. In most car accident victims, these feelings will dissipate with time. However, some car accident victims will suffer from more serious mood disorders, such as PTSD, anxiety, or depression.
Suffering from depression after a car accident can be debilitating and just as devastating as other injuries. Unfortunately, unlike physical injuries, such as broken bones, the pain of depression isn’t as obvious to others. As such, car accident survivors who suffer from depression may not get the help they need as quickly.
If you notice any of the following signs of depression, be sure to speak to a mental healthcare provider immediately.
- Anxiety
- Loss of interest or apathy in life
- Feeling constantly sad
- Sleeping too much
- Lack of energy
- Feeling hopeless
- Difficulty concentrating
If you’ve suffered from depression in the past, it is important to know that a car accident can trigger a relapse.
Contact Our Experienced Washington DC Car Accident Lawyers
When you are injured in a car accident in Washington DC, your injuries may not be immediately apparent. Many serious and life-threatening injuries can take hours and sometimes days to become fully realized.
Unfortunately, this delayed onset of symptoms can raise suspicion in many insurance company adjusters. When this occurs, you need an experienced law firm on your side with extensive experience representing injured car accident victims.
At Patrick Malone & Associates, our Washington DC car accident attorneys work hard for our clients every step of the way. To learn more about your legal rights after a car accident, contact our law firm by calling (202) 742-1500 or filling out our confidential contact form. We offer a free initial consultation for all injured accident victims and can help you choose the legal path that is best for you. Call today!