For most people, their first instinct after a crash is to check for injuries. They inspect their limbs and make sure that they can move their legs. They check on their passengers and even the people in the other vehicle.
Sometimes, people assume that there are no major injuries. They may go so far as to assert as much when contacting local authorities to report the crash. Unfortunately, significant medical issues may manifest the next day or even several days later. Those people may then have a more difficult time seeking appropriate financial compensation for their injuries and any lost wages caused by their medical challenges.
Why do many people initially fail to notice the signs of serious injuries after car crashes?
The brain hides early warning signs
A car crash can be emotionally traumatizing. It is also an incredibly stressful experience that can trigger a cascade of chemical responses in the human brain. The stress response is critical for people’s safety during natural disasters, violent encounters with other people and similar dangerous scenarios.
The body covers up feelings of pain and provides the person at risk with a surge of energy. That energy helps them leave a dangerous situation or fight off a predator. That same chemical response can cover up warning signs of painful and even debilitating injuries. Some people only notice soft tissue injuries or broken bones the next day when the stress response has fully subsided.
Many injuries are completely internal
Some car crash injuries are visible. An individual with a laceration on their scalp might bleed profusely even though the wound is not large enough to require stitches. A broken bone could leave a body part at a distorted angle and cause intense pain that even the stress response cannot cover.
Other injuries are fully internal and therefore harder to identify. A stable fracture may not be immediately painful and may not limit functional ability initially. Internal bleeding caused by seat belts or contact with other vehicle components might not be noticeable until the injured person starts presenting symptoms of blood loss or noticing inflammation and bruising.
Traumatic brain injuries can slowly worsen over many days as pressure inside the skull increases due to bleeding or inflammation. People typically cannot diagnose these injuries in their early stages without the support of a healthcare professional.
Seeing a doctor as soon as possible after a collision can help protect people from worsening injuries. It can also help them obtain financial compensation. People who understand that they could potentially overlook injuries can make better decisions in the aftermath of a motor vehicle collision.