Being involved in a car accident is a massive shock to your body. When the initial crash is over
and your vehicle has come to a stop, most people are happy to be able to get out of their car on
their own steam and are grateful to have no broken bones or major lacerations or injuries.
Don’t breathe a sigh of relief just yet, however. It can take days for a serious injury to show
itself following a motor vehicle accident.
HOW CAN SOMEONE NOT REALIZE THAT THEY’RE INJURED AFTER A WRECK?
First, our body’s flight-or-fight response gets triggered in a crash. This causes the production of
adrenaline to go into overdrive. This hormone increases your mental focus and helps overcome
muscle fatigue. Therefore, the pain you would ordinarily feel from an injury can be masked.
Second, the physical effects of the injury may take some time to develop. Pain may simply not
set in until tissues in your body begin to swell, injured nerves are fully inflamed, or damaged
blood vessels begin to leak.
COMMON HIDDEN INJURIES FOLLOWING A WRECK
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Back and spine injuries
There may be other hidden injuries, but these three are the most severe and can leave you with
lifelong complications.
Be aware of warning signs that you may have sustained more damage than you realize after the
initial wreck.
• Headaches, confusion, nausea and dizziness could be early symptoms of traumatic brain
injury.
• Neck pain, shoulder pain, or numbness in your hands or fingers could indicate you have
suffered neck sprain/strain (whiplash) or damage to your spinal column. Low back pain
and aching muscles could be the first sign of a herniated disc or fracture.
If you’ve been involved in a motor vehicle accident, make sure you get medical attention as
soon as possible – particularly if you experience any symptoms that may indicate a hidden
injury. And speak to an experienced personal injury attorney about your legal options. Contact
us for a free case consultation today.