One thing you have to be wary of after you’re involved in a crash is the possibility of having delayed-onset injuries. These injuries are delayed because of the chemicals that make up the “fight-or-flight” response in your body. Essentially, because of adrenaline and other chemicals, you’re unable to feel certain injuries. Some may not fully develop for 24 to 48 hours.
One of the most common issues in a car crash is a delay in pain with a case of whiplash. It’s commonly known that whiplash can take 24 to 48 hours or longer to fully develop, which means that many people who have suffered this injury may not realize how badly they were hurt until days after the accident.
Whiplash is also called neck strain and may refer to a neck sprain. It can cause many symptoms including:
- Headaches
- Pain in the neck, shoulders or anywhere in the back
- Dizziness
- Stiffness in the neck
- Difficulty concentrating
- Fatigue or difficulty sleeping
- Pain between the shoulder blades
For someone who has walked away from a collision thinking that they have no injuries, developing sudden stiffness and pain days later may be a surprise. It isn’t a surprise to doctors or to insurance agents, though. If you develop these symptoms, you can still go to the hospital and seek care, which can then be claimed for when you file a claim against the other party.
Any time you’re involved in a crash, it’s usually a good idea to go to the hospital right away. If you do delay your visit, make sure you tell the doctors that you were recently involved in a car crash, so you can get the right treatment for your injuries.
