For many people, checking for injuries is the first step they take after a car crash. They move their hands and feet before inspecting their passengers for signs of injury. That way, they can tell the person who answers when they call to report the crash whether they require emergency medical assistance or not.
While people can sometimes recognize the warning signs of catastrophic injuries, it is also possible for those injured in car crashes to overlook injuries initially. They may end up in the hospital days later with injuries that have progressed because they did not receive treatment quickly.
Why do some people overlook the signs of major health concerns after a car crash?
The body covers up symptoms
It is common for people involved in car wrecks to have an intense stress response. A car crash is a potentially life-threatening incident. The brain responds by flooding the body with chemicals that can help the person escape a dangerous situation.
The stress response allows an individual to get out of the dangerous scenario by giving them a surge of energy and hiding their pain initially. However, they may realize after the chemical response wanes that they are actually in a significant amount of pain. Many people only realize that they have a stable fracture or soft tissue injury hours after a crash or even the day after they get hurt.
Delayed symptoms are common
Many of the worst injuries possible after a car crash are internal injuries. For example, people with traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) may not notice any warning signs initially. As the bleeding or inflammation inside their skull continues, they may eventually develop very concerning symptoms.
The same is true in cases involving internal bleeding in the torso. It may be several days before people notice the signs of their injuries, and they may then have a more difficult time getting compensation from the party at fault for the collision.
Realizing that it is easy to overlook crash injuries can help people protect themselves after motor vehicle collisions. Seeing a doctor to identify potential injuries is a crucial step to take after a car crash. People need treatment to have the best prognosis, and their medical records can also prove beneficial if they pursue compensation against responsible parties later.
