When you are involved in a car accident, you might not think that you are injured. This is due in part to the adrenaline rush that occurs in these types of dangerous situations. It is an effect that happens because of the human’s flight or fight response, which helps to offer protection when people face situations that could injure them.
Your blood vessels and air passages dilate so that your body can get more blood and oxygen in these cases. This gives you a short burst of energy to address the dangerous situation, but it can also mask the signs of some injuries. In fact, you might notice anything amiss until the next morning or two to three days later.
The adrenaline rush can occur regardless of the severity of the crash. A fender bender can cause a rush that is the same as what happens in an accident that was serious enough to kill someone. The hormonal response can cause you to feel shaky after the accident. You might even faint or begin to feel emotional because of the hormone response, which also releases endorphins that can mask the pain for a while.
Because of these hormonal releases, it is a good idea to have an evaluation after a crash. This gives you a chance to have a doctor check for signs of injuries that you might have missed. It can also tie any injuries you do have to the crash, which can benefit you if you opt to seek compensation for the damages of the crash. The sooner you seek medical care, the better off you might fare.