According to the CDC, only about 40% of car accident victims go to the emergency room after the collision. The main reason is because they “feel fine”, but this is a mistake regardless. Even if you don’t feel any pain right after the accident, there could still be an injury that needs treatment. How can a person experience bodily harm without feeling it right away? The answer is adrenaline.
When the human body experiences high levels of stress in situations such as car accidents, the adrenal gland releases a hormone called adrenaline. To prepare the muscles for extreme activity such as fighting danger or fleeing, adrenaline speeds up blood circulation and the metabolism of carbohydrates for energy. This release is called an adrenaline rush.
Adrenaline Rush
According to the NHTSA, traffic accidents and fatalities have been increasing over the last few years. In stressful conditions such as car accidents, the body experiences an adrenaline rush, which causes the following symptoms.
- Increased physical
- No feelings of pain, even when overexerted or injured.
- Fast breathing.
- High energy.
- Heightened senses.
- Pupil dilation.
- Slowed digestion processes.
- Increase in sweat production.
These symptoms often cause car crash survivors to think that they don’t need any medical attention, but they are sorely mistaken. Adrenaline often causes people to overlook common car, truck, and motorcycle accident injuries such as the following:
- Double Crush Syndrome involves a nerve pinching in two or more places on the body, causing symptoms that are amplified.
- Fractures and sprains.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries such as concussions, and cerebral contusions which can turn into intracranial hematomas if left untreated.
- Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS).
- Whiplash is a common car accident sustained when the neck stretches out while quickly snapping forward and backward.
- Spinal cord injuries, which can cause recurring muscle spasms, joint or nerve pain, lost sense of touch, impaired bodily functions.
- Internal bleeding.
After being involved in a collision, it’s vital to go to the emergency room as soon as possible so you can receive the medical examination and treatment you need for your personal injury.
Making a Claim
Another reason to seek the help of a medical professional after an accident is to help you and your lawyer win compensation from the driver at fault for the crash. Delaying or neglecting to see a doctor in these scenarios is detrimental to your claim in multiple ways.
- It will be harder to prove that the injuries you sustained were caused by the accident.
- The insurance company may use this as a reason to deny your claim.
- The delay can significantly decrease the settlement you receive.
- It can be argued that your car accident injury “can’t have been that bad” if you didn’t seek treatment right away.
You shouldn’t be left to pay medical bills after missing days of work while recovering, especially when a negligent driver is at fault.
What to do After an Accident
Don’t let the overwhelming events of a car accident leave you flustered. If you get into a collision with another vehicle, just follow these steps.
- If you can do so safely, move your vehicle out of the way of traffic to prevent another accident.
- Call the police, and remember not to admit fault to anyone, not even your insurer at the scene of the crash. Even if you genuinely think you’re at fault, you may be wrong. Speak to a personal injury attorney to find out for sure if you are legally liable for the incident.
- Get all of the names and contact information of any witnesses. This can help your lawyer prove your case later.
- Take pictures of the damages to your vehicle and any injuries you’ve sustained, which will also provide your attorney with an arsenal of evidence.
- Go to the emergency room, even if you aren’t in pain.
- If you can’t get the other driver’s insurance information, it will likely be in the police report so don’t stress too much.
- Hire a car accident lawyer.
- Get your car inspected, even if it seems to be functioning properly. Like the human body, your vehicle can have underlying problems that will surface later, compromising the safety of yourself and others.
How a Lawyer Can Help
Having an experienced personal injury attorney in your corner significantly increases your chances of winning a fair settlement. Your personal injury lawyer can help you by…
- Handling communications with the insurance company.
- Guiding you through the legal process.
- Calculating the value of your personal injury.
- Filling out and submitting legal forms.
- Negotiating a fair settlement on your behalf.
If you or someone you know has been injured in a car accident caused by a negligent driver, contact us to schedule a consultation with our Kansas City personal injury law firm. You’ll receive free legal advice from a lawyer near you, and peace of mind while you focus on what’s most important – recovering.
