First published
1. Concussion without a direct head impact
Many people believe you only get a concussion if your head hits the steering wheel or window. The rapid whip of the head in a collision can move the brain inside the skull and cause a concussion without any bruise on your forehead. Dizziness, light sensitivity or feeling foggy after an accident are worth getting checked. Concussion care →
2. Dashboard knee and hip injuries
If your leg is braced on the brake, the force of impact can travel up the leg into the hip. Your knee may also strike the dashboard. Both can injure the ligaments at the back of the knee or irritate the hip joint, and often show up as a dull ache in the groin or low back that people do not connect with the crash.
3. Delayed soft-tissue pain
Adrenaline masks pain during an emergency. Once it wears off, usually 24 to 72 hours later, inflammation sets in. That is why neck and back pain so often appear a day or two after a collision, and why mild stiffness on day one can become a real loss of movement by day three. Whiplash treatment →
4. Seatbelt injuries
The seatbelt that saves your life can also bruise the chest and abdomen, injure ribs or strain the shoulder it crosses. Lingering chest tightness or shoulder pain that does not settle with rest should be assessed; chest pain or shortness of breath needs emergency care.
5. Pelvic floor problems
Some people notice new pelvic or low back pain, or changes in bladder control, after a collision. These symptoms are easy to overlook; mention them at your assessment so they can be checked. Pelvic floor physiotherapy →
Why an early assessment matters
Untreated injuries can lead to longer-lasting pain and movement problems, as the body works around them by limping or hunching, which can then cause problems elsewhere. A physiotherapy assessment after a collision looks for these less obvious injuries and sets a plan that can include hands-on treatment, vestibular rehabilitation and guided exercise. In Alberta, treatment after a car accident is billed to your own auto insurer, and you do not need a referral. Car accident care →
About this article
This article is general information, not a diagnosis; book an assessment for advice about your own situation.
