In the moments after a serious car accident, many people are surprised that they don’t feel injured. Instead of pain, they may feel alert, energized, or even emotionally numb.
This response is largely due to adrenaline, a hormone our body releases during stressful or dangerous situations. While this natural fight-or-flight response can help you react quickly in an emergency, it can also mask pain and delay symptoms of potentially life-altering injuries.
What is Adrenaline and Why Does Your Body Release it During a Car Accident?
Epinephrine, or, as it is more commonly known, adrenaline, is a hormone your adrenal glands send through your bloodstream. It is released quickly into the body when you’re suddenly stressed or scared in what we call an adrenaline rush.
Adrenaline is what gets your body ready to engage in a fight-or-flight response, whether you’re fighting to get yourself out of harm’s way or running away from it. Adrenaline can be released in a variety of situations, from rock climbing and base jumping to a panic attack or a car accident.
How Does Adrenaline Affect Your Body After a Car Accident?
Adrenaline is what allows you to react before your mind can catch up and think about what’s going on. It slows down your digestive system and other non-essential bodily functions, so you can focus on survival.
Once adrenaline enters your bloodstream, you’ll begin to experience an adrenaline rush. These symptoms can include:
- Increased strength and performance
- Dilated pupils
- Feeling nervous or jittery
- Faster breathing
- Increased heart rate
- Increased perspiration
Common Car Accident Injuries That May Be Hidden by an Adrenaline Rush
Whiplash is the most common delayed injury experienced after a car accident.
It can cause symptoms such as neck pain, reduced range of motion, headaches, muscle tightness, and shoulder discomfort. Other common car accident injuries that may be hidden by an adrenaline rush include:
- Internal injuries, such as internal bleeding or organ damage
- Concussions
- Back or spinal injuries
- Joint pain
- Ligament injuries
- Soft tissue damage
- Muscle strains
After an accident, it’s important to seek medical care as symptoms can be delayed due to adrenaline, which can often last hours or even days following a crash.
How Adrenaline Can Affect a Personal Injury Claim
Adrenaline can easily conceal your symptoms, causing a delayed reaction to your pain and injuries; however, don’t let adrenaline convince you you’re okay.
After an accident, it is customary for the injured party to sign a release of liability form. This form ends all future claims related to the incident, including your ability to seek compensation in an at-fault accident.
If you signed the form before receiving a proper medical evaluation, you may lose out on the compensation you deserve. If you are in an accident, call Hoffman Law Firm so we can help you navigate your legal rights when your pain shows up.
Don’t Let an Adrenaline Rush Keep You from Compensation! Talk to Hoffman Law Firm Today
Through the fog of an adrenaline rush, pain and injury can rear their heads long after you believe you’re fine.
Whether you start experiencing pain hours or weeks after an accident, Hoffman Law Firm is here for you. Our skilled team of car accident attorneys can handle your case on your behalf, so you can focus on recovery and getting back to a pain-free life.
With offices in Georgetown, SC, and Charleston, SC, our personal injury law firm supports accident victims throughout the Palmetto State. As the leading workers’ compensation lawyers in Charleston and Georgetown, we have established a reputation for success and exceptional service.
Schedule your free consultation today with a personal injury attorney in Charleston or Georgetown, SC, and we will take it from there.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Reading this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is unique, and the application of subrogation laws depends on the specific facts and insurance policies involved. Attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Hoffman Law Firm is licensed to practice law in South Carolina.
