Every year, around 3 million Americans endure non-fatal injuries in motor vehicle accidents. Learning how long car accident soreness lasts will let you know what to expect and when to get help.
In 2019 alone, over 290,000 older adults received emergency room treatment due to injuries they sustained in road accidents. Once the dust settles, it’s understandable to want answers regarding how long your soreness will last
Your body helped you survive this accident. Learning about how long the soreness will help you make better medical decisions down the line. After all, you’ll know when it’s time to see a doctor.
Lots of our readers are asking “How long are you sore after a car accident?” Here’s what you should know about how long soreness lasts after a car accident:
Car Accident Soreness 101
On average, soreness lasts for 6 weeks after an accident. Some recover before that average, but many people experience soreness for longer periods of time.
Whiplash is a common cause of post-accident soreness. Its sore symptoms don’t appear until a day or 2 after an accident.
Neck pain from whiplash goes away anywhere from a few days to 3 months or more. If you experience persistent neck pain and other symptoms, tell your car accident doctors ASAP.
For instance, if you experience neck pain and tinnitus, report it to your doctor immediately so it’s on record. When it comes to accident injury law, it’ll support your case.
Nonetheless, the matter isn’t as clearcut as averages make them out to be. Car accident specialists know to always take the following into consideration:
Biological Factors
People experience pain differently even if they’ve been involved in similar car accidents. There are factors that affect how long you feel soreness afterwards.
Age plays a big role in determining how much pain someone experiences and for how long. Younger people tend to bounce back from accidents quicker than older people and experience less pain.
Your general health at the time of the accident also comes into play. A person with a pre-existing back problem will be in more pain for longer than an individual without one.
Let’s face it: A slipped disc hurts a lot more when your back wasn’t doing so well in the first place.
Car Factors
Your position inside of the car affects how sore you feel after an accident. In a front impact accident, the driver will experience more soreness and injuries, especially if the airbag goes off.
Generally speaking, the closer you’re sitting to the actual point of collision, the more soreness you’ll feel after the fact.
In a car accident, wearing a seatbelt makes the difference between experiencing soreness for 2 months and having pain from a car accident injury for years. Let this be a reminder to always wear your seatbelt.
Take a Look at the Bigger Picture
According to the World Health Organization, about 1.35 million people die every year due to car accidents around the world. Look on the bright side: Although dealing with car accident soreness isn’t fun, it proves you’re still alive and safe.
Around 20 to 50 million people experience non-fatal injuries from car accidents worldwide. If you’re in pain, you’re not alone. That’s why finding a doctor who has your best interest in mind is so important.
Be smart—call (888) 590-4030 and let us help you find a doctor near you as soon as possible.