People involved in motor vehicle collisions usually need to report the crashes to local authorities. When they call to request assistance, the party answering the phone typically inquires about the need for medical support.
If anyone involved in the crash has serious injuries, sending out first responders to stabilize their condition and get them to the hospital as quickly as possible could potentially save a life. For those with significant injuries, prompt treatment can also lead to a better long-term prognosis.
Unfortunately, many people involved in car or truck wrecks do not know that they need help right at the scene of the crash. They overlook the early symptoms of their injuries, and they may only realize they need medical support the next day or even later.
Why might people fail to notice potentially devastating injuries after a car crash?
The body hides traumatic injuries
The human body is incredibly strong and resilient. However, it has limitations that can create life-or-death scenarios in an emergency situation. Pain can affect physical performance, leaving people vulnerable to ongoing danger after initial trauma. The human stress response, also known as the fight-or-flight response, helps people get out of dangerous situations.
The body releases chemicals that suppress pain and provide emergency energy to allow those experiencing the life-threatening situation to flee or fight for their survival. It is only after the chemicals that flood the body during the stress response subside that people may notice the warning signs of broken bones, soft tissue injuries and other painful medical challenges.
Internal injuries progress slowly
Some of the most devastating medical conditions associated with car crashes are internal injuries that worsen progressively after the initial trauma. People with brain injuries or internal bleeding typically require medical evaluation to diagnose their injuries early and to prevent them from progressing.
It could be days before the blood loss caused by internal bleeding causes noticeable symptoms or a traumatic brain injury reaches a point where the symptoms become unignorable. People who see a doctor shortly after a crash can undergo testing to confirm the presence of internal injuries.
Even people with medical knowledge might overlook symptoms of serious injuries after car crashes. Seeing a medical professional immediately after a major collision can help people get an accurate diagnosis, improve their prognosis and strengthen their claim for compensation later.