Even the most cautious drivers can find themselves in an accident. While
one of your first steps after an accident should be to see a doctor, some
find themselves hesitant to do so since they don’t think they have
been injured. A common occurrence car accident victims see is their injuries
play a game of hide and seek. Injuries can reveal themselves days to weeks
after even a minor car accident.
Common Reasons for Delayed Symptoms
Adrenaline: In response to a car crash the body goes into “fight or flight”
mode resulting in a flood of adrenaline and endorphins getting released
into your bloodstream. These two chemicals can give you a jolt of energy
and block the sensation of pain from any injuries, one reason why some
feel so shaky after an accident. It’s only after these chemicals
return to their normal levels that you will feel the pain from and recognize
any received injuries.
Injuries to the soft tissue: Whiplash is the most widely known soft tissue injury to occur after a car
accident. This type of damage can be difficult to identify. Since soft
tissue injuries are separate from damage done to bones, they do not show
up on x-rays and can, unfortunately, take up to a couple of weeks after
an accident to reveal themselves. Caused by the force even minor accidents
create, these injuries can cause:
- Pain
- Swelling
- Difficulty in walking or moving strained muscles
After an accident, be sure to speak to a doctor about the possibility of
soft tissue damage.
Concussions: Another injury that does not always show symptoms right away is the concussion.
A common misconception concerning concussions is that you have to hit
your head to receive this injury. Since there is a layer of protective
fluid between our brains and our skulls, it is possible to get a concussion
from a very abrupt stop, such as in a car accident. When this occurs,
the brain strikes the skull from the force of being stopped so quickly.
Concussions can be severe, given their elusive nature, it is imperative
to see a physician after a crash.
First Steps After A Crash
Since injuries are not always obvious right away it is crucial to see a
doctor after a car accident, no matter how minor. It is also important
to refrain from signing any insurance document stating you have not been
injured until you talk to a car accident attorney.
Contact our Clearwater Car Accident Attorney for a
free consultation!