Car crash injuries frequently become the main focus of everyone in a vehicle. Someone bleeding or dealing with the pain of a fracture may need immediate support.
Generally speaking, those calling for support after a car crash can provide information to first responders about whether or not medical services are necessary at the scene of the crash. In some cases, people may decline emergency treatment and may instead arrange for transportation to a hospital, urgent care facility or doctor’s office. Other times, people completely overlook the early warning signs of their injuries.
How could those with car crash injuries serious enough to require medical care go unnoticed after a car crash?
The body covers up early symptoms
A car crash is a traumatic, potentially life-threatening experience. People involved in crashes often experience a stress response. People may also refer to a stress response as a fight-or-flight response.
The brain responds to a perceived threat by providing the body with the energy it needs to escape. The chemical response also covers up pain symptoms so that people don’t focus on their injuries until they can safely leave the situation.
Unfortunately, that means that individuals involved in serious collisions may not notice their injuries because they don’t feel pain initially. It may be several hours or even the next day before they realize that the car crash may have actually caused significant injuries.
Symptoms can progress over time
Another reason that people may fail to notice injuries initially is that symptoms can change as time passes. People with brain injuries, for example, may not have any symptoms until the pressure inside the skull starts causing damage to the structure of the brain or affecting certain areas of the brain.
Those with internal bleeding may not notice any symptoms until they develop bruises, painful inflammation or dizziness indicative of blood loss. Particularly in situations where other people sustain injuries or the crash demolishes the vehicles, the people involved may need to seek medical evaluation to determine if they have any injuries that could worsen over time.
People who know how to respond to the challenges of a major motor vehicle collision are less likely to make mistakes that will affect their medical prognosis and ability to secure compensation later. Seeking medical attention after a car crash can be one of the best decisions possible in a stressful and likely frustrating situation.