People typically assess their circumstances carefully after a car crash. They check themselves and the other occupants of their vehicles for injuries. In many cases, it is immediately apparent when people sustain injuries in car crashes.
They may be unconscious or bleeding. They may have broken bones that are incredibly painful. When people notice the immediate warning signs of traumatic injuries, they can notify first responders about the need for medical support and seek out proper care.
Unfortunately, many people overlook the initial warning signs of injuries after motor vehicle collisions. They might go a day or longer without the care that they need to recover. Why do some people struggle to identify serious injuries after a car crash?
The body hides injury symptoms
If an injury does not cause immediate pain or visible symptoms, an injured person may struggle to diagnose their own injuries. The way that the body responds to a car crash can make it difficult to notice the subtle early warning signs of potentially severe injuries.
After a traumatic experience, the brain may flood the body with certain chemicals as part of a stress response. One of the functions of the stress response is to suppress pain and increase energy levels. Some people refer to the stress response as the fight-or-flight response because the body’s reaction can help people fight off a predator or flee a dangerous scenario.
The chemical response that could protect a human attacked by a predator can leave people at a disadvantage after a car crash. When they don’t feel pain after a collision, they may assume that they did not sustain any significant injuries.
However, as the chemical reaction subsides, symptoms may begin to arise. People may notice later in the day or the next morning that they have significant pain due to a stable fracture, internal bleeding or a soft tissue injury like whiplash.
Symptoms don’t always develop quickly
Another reason that people may overlook car crash injuries at first is that they may not have symptoms right away. Internal injuries, including traumatic brain injuries and internal bleeding, may be asymptomatic until the condition reaches a dangerous point. As bleeding or inflammation progresses, people may notice new symptoms that they did not have immediately after a crash.
The only way to ensure that those with car crash injuries don’t overlook them is to seek out a professional medical evaluation after a collision. Medical doctors have the diagnostic training necessary to evaluate people for potential injuries. They also have access to testing systems that can validate the presence of a broken bone or internal bleeding.
People who receive appropriate medical evaluation after a motor vehicle collision may improve their chances of making a full recovery. Their diagnosis can also help them pursue compensation from the party at fault for the collision. Taking the right steps after a car crash can help to protect people both medically and financially.