Signs you need an X-ray after a car accident include severe or persistent pain, visible deformities, difficulty moving a body part, swelling, or numbness. These may indicate fractures or other internal injuries requiring immediate medical attention.
After a car accident, injuries aren’t always immediately apparent, leaving you wondering if something serious might be wrong.
Ignoring potential red flags could result in undiagnosed fractures, internal injuries, or long-term complications that worsen over time.
Knowing the signs that indicate the need for an X-ray can help you identify hidden injuries and get the medical attention you need. In this article, we explore the top 5 signs that an X-ray might be essential after an accident.
5 Signs You Need an X-Ray After a Car Accident
Understanding when to seek medical imaging can make a crucial difference in your recovery.
X-rays are often necessary to detect injuries that aren’t visible to the naked eye or immediately felt after an accident. By recognizing key warning signs, you can take proactive steps to ensure your health and prevent complications.
Here are five signs you need an x-ray after a car accident.
1. Obvious Deformity
One of the biggest signs that a car accident may have left someone with a broken bone is any obvious deformity in a person’s limb or bone structure. At their worst, these deformities can actually push bone through the skin, making the break obvious, but less serious breaks will not show so clearly. An arm, leg or other body part bending in a direction that it is not supposed to is a strong sign of a potential broken bone.
2. Severe Bruising
Another potential sign of a broken bone is severe bruising and tenderness across the area above the break. This sign can be especially useful for spotting potential breaks in areas like ribs, where the deformities described above are going to be more difficult to spot. However, it is also important to remember that bruising can result from a variety of types of tissue damage, so it may not be as strong an indicator of a broken bone.
3. Swelling
Swelling is another possible clue that a bone may have broken beneath the skin. Broken bones often cause damage to the surrounding tissues, which can result in fluid leaking out. Other tissue can then soak up that fluid, leading to swelling. As with the bruising described above though, there are a variety of other potential injuries that could give rise to swelling without a bone being broken.
4. Loss of Limb Function
Another sign that a person might need an X-ray after a traffic accident is if they have lost some or all of the use of an injured extremity. People may find broken limbs completely non-responsive or just difficult to move depending. Additionally, it is important to note that there are different guidelines for different body parts about how much loss of function should be a concern.
5. Grating and Grinding
A final sign of a possible broken bone is a the feeling of grating or grinding beneath the skin, a medical condition known as crepitus. Crepitus has been likened to the feeling of walking on gravel, and is a possible sign that a person’s bones are not properly aligned or that some sort of fracture is interfering with the function of a joint.
The Importance of X-Rays as Evidence that Strengthen Your Injury Claim
X-rays play a critical role not only in diagnosing injuries but also in providing tangible evidence for personal injury claims.
After a car accident, proving the extent of your injuries is essential to securing fair compensation.
Here’s why X-rays are so valuable in strengthening your case:
- Objective Documentation of Injuries: X-rays provide clear, visual proof of injuries like fractures, dislocations, or other internal damage. Unlike subjective descriptions of pain, these images serve as undeniable evidence.
- Linking Injuries to the Accident: X-rays taken immediately after the accident can establish a direct connection between the injuries and the incident, which is vital for building a strong claim.
- Demonstrating Severity: The extent of damage shown in an X-ray can help quantify the seriousness of your injuries, influencing the amount of compensation you may be entitled to for medical bills and pain and suffering.
- Supporting Medical Testimony: Doctors can use X-rays to explain the nature and extent of your injuries in court or during negotiations, providing credibility to your claim.
- Rebutting Disputes: If an insurance company or opposing party questions the legitimacy of your injuries, X-rays act as a factual, unarguable piece of evidence to refute such claims.
By ensuring X-rays are part of your medical evaluation after an accident, you not only safeguard your health but also reinforce the foundation of your personal injury claim. If you’ve been injured, consult with an experienced personal injury lawyer to ensure this critical evidence is properly utilized.
Schedule a Free Consultation with an Injury Attorney
Have you been injured in an accident? Struggling with medical bills, lost wages, and uncooperative insurance companies?
You don’t have to face this alone. An experienced injury attorney can guide you through the legal process, protecting your rights and fighting for the compensation you deserve.
Our car accident attorneys have extensive experience handling broken bone injuries and will be by your side to handle the complexities of your case while you focus on recovery. With a free consultation, you can get clear answers about your options—without any obligation.
Take the first step toward justice and peace of mind. Schedule your free consultation with an injury attorney today and start moving toward the resolution you deserve.
Conclusion
Broken bones are just one of many injuries that a person can suffer after being in a car crash.
If you have been injured by a careless driver and have questions about your legal rights, contact us today.
The Ladah law firm is available at 702-252-0055 to answer any questions you may have.