Of the injuries you can suffer in a crash, one of the most unusual is the delayed injury. Delayed-onset injuries are special since they can take many hours or days to emerge. From slow bleeds to pain from broken bones or other significant injuries, delayed injuries can take many forms.
At the scene of a car accident, you’re in shock. You’ve been through a traumatic event, and you may not be thinking straight. Though you feel fine, the reality is that adrenaline is coursing through your veins. Adrenaline and other chemicals are released by your body to help you stay alert and active in a time of stress, but those same chemicals can hinder your body’s ability to recognize pain or injuries.
It’s not uncommon for pain to be delayed after a crash
Although people may be surprised to hear it, pain is often delayed after crashes as a result of the fight or flight response. That’s why attorneys and others encourage you to go to the hospital no matter how you feel. The true pain of your injuries may not set in for several hours or days, and at that time, you could find yourself suffering much more than if you’d sought out medical help from the start.
What should you do if you believe you have a delayed injury?
If you think you have a delayed-onset injury, go to the hospital and mention that you were involved in an accident. You can still make a claim, even if your injury was delayed by a few days.