{"id":2073,"date":"2019-01-18T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2019-01-18T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.awjlaw.com\/2019\/01\/18\/it-could-be-days-before-you-realize-the-extent-of-your-injuries\/"},"modified":"2024-08-29T21:12:04","modified_gmt":"2024-08-29T21:12:04","slug":"it-could-be-days-before-you-realize-the-extent-of-your-injuries","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.awjlaw.com\/faqs\/it-could-be-days-before-you-realize-the-extent-of-your-injuries\/","title":{"rendered":"It Could Be Days Before You Realize the Extent of Your Injuries"},"content":{"rendered":"

When people are involved in car crashes<\/a>, it\u2019s not uncommon for them to mistakenly believe they\u2019re not hurt, only for serious pain to arise days after the accident. Why does this happen? It can be attributed to the hormone adrenaline (epinephrine), which is responsible for the body\u2019s flight or fight response.<\/p>\n

Car accidents are physically \u201cexciting\u201d events, but not in the way that a roller coaster or trip to a new place is exciting. They\u2019re exciting in that they startle the body and place it in an instant state of stress. Car accidents are sudden and often traumatic, causing the body to flood the system with adrenaline \u2013 which increases the heart rate, prepares the body to run at superhuman speed, and masks pain.<\/em><\/p>\n

Adrenaline Can Mask Pain for Long Periods<\/h2>\n

What we may not realize is that adrenaline can mask the pain of a car accident for hours, if not days after a crash. Sometimes when victims mistakenly believe they aren\u2019t injured, they tell the at-fault driver or insurance company, \u201cI\u2019m not hurt, I\u2019m fine\u201d but days later, serious, debilitating pain can set in.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re involved in a car crash, save all comments regarding injuries or pain until you\u2019ve been checked out by a medical professional. If you tell the other driver or the insurance company that you\u2019re uninjured and later discover that you are, the insurance company can argue that you\u2019re being dishonest. In effect, they can try to devalue your claim because at first you claimed to be injury-free.<\/p>\n

See a Doctor Within 72 Hours<\/h2>\n

We urge auto accident victims to see a doctor within 72 hours<\/strong> of a crash, even if you think you\u2019re fine. A delay in receiving medical treatment can send the wrong message to the insurance company, and can compromise your health if you have a spinal cord injury or a concussion. It\u2019s just not worth the risk.<\/p>\n

See A Healthcare Provider Immediately If You Experience The Following After A Car Crash:<\/h2>\n