You may sustain a serious injury in a car accident and not show symptoms. This can result in believing you are fine and, in turn, skipping immediate medical care. By the time you notice symptoms, the hidden injury may have worsened.
Delayed symptoms after a car accident are not uncommon. They can appear hours, days or weeks later. This can happen due to:
Adrenaline and endorphins masking pain
The body releases adrenaline when involved in an accident to trigger the fight-or-flight response. This enhances alertness, increases heart rate and triggers a surge of energy to help you navigate the danger. Consequently, you may be injured and not notice until the adrenaline rush subsides.
Endorphins, which act as the body’s natural pain relievers, are also released as part of the fight-or-flight response. This hormone can partially or completely mask pain from injuries, even broken bones.
Inflammatory response
Inflammatory response is another reason for delayed symptoms after a car accident. If you sustain a soft tissue injury, it can take 24 to 72 hours to notice. This is generally the time it takes for inflammation to peak around damaged soft tissues, leading to you noticing intense pain, stiffness and reduced mobility later.
Besides, a herniated disc may not cause noticeable pain immediately. However, as inflammation builds and starts compressing a nerve, pain can become more intense. A brain injury may also only be noticed days later as inflammation progresses.
Moreover, internal bleeding, especially slower bleeding from organ damage, can remain symptomless until blood accumulation creates pressure that irritates internal organs or causes enough blood loss to trigger symptoms. This can be hours or days after the accident.
It’s vital to get a medical evaluation immediately after leaving the accident scene so hidden injuries can be identified and treated. Learn more about protecting your well-being and rights after a crash.