Why Pain Sustained During Auto Accidents is Often Delayed

About 2.38 million Americans were injured in auto accidents in 2022, and most people are involved in at least one accident in their lifetimes.  Whether it’s a minor fender bender or a more serious collision, auto accidents can result in a variety of injuries like whiplash, concussions, and bruising.

These injuries usually happen due to sudden impact — but even though they can be severe, many people don't immediately feel pain or notice symptoms after the accident. This delay in symptoms can be confusing, and it might even lead you to underestimate the seriousness of your injuries.

Our team at Memorial Springs ER is here to help. We specialize in motor vehicle accident appointments in Spring, Texas. If you’ve been involved in an auto accident, here’s what you should know about why injuries sustained during the accident aren’t always obvious right away.

Adrenaline can mask pain

One reason for delayed pain after an auto accident is the adrenaline rush that occurs during and immediately after the incident. Adrenaline is a hormone that your body releases in response to stress or danger, and it heightens your alertness and prepares your body to react quickly.

Adrenaline also temporarily masks pain by numbing your body's pain receptors to make you better able to focus on the threat. This means that even if you've sustained an injury, you might not feel the full extent of it until hours or even days later when your adrenaline levels subside.

Soft tissue injuries can develop gradually

Another factor contributing to delayed pain is the nature of soft tissue injuries like whiplash. Whiplash happens when your  neck is suddenly and forcefully jerked back and forth, stretching and straining the muscles, tendons, and ligaments.

The symptoms of whiplash include neck pain, stiffness, headaches, and dizziness, but they often develop gradually. In fact, it can take a day or more for the inflammation and muscle strain to fully manifest, which delays the onset of pain and other symptoms.

Concussions aren’t always obvious

Concussions, a type of traumatic brain injury common in auto accidents, can also present delayed symptoms. You might feel fine initially, but as time progresses, you could begin to experience headaches, confusion, dizziness, or sensitivity to light and sound.

These symptoms might not appear until hours after the accident, making it easy to overlook the injury at first. Plus, concussion symptoms can be subtle, so you might not even recognize that you have an injury at all.

The verdict: it’s essential to seek medical attention after a car accident

It’s not uncommon to experience delayed onset of pain and other symptoms following an auto accident. And that means seeking medical attention after an accident is crucial — no matter how minor it may seem.

Even if you feel fine immediately afterward, our urgent care team screens for common accident injuries with a thorough examination, including imaging tests, if necessary. We have lab services, X-rays, ultrasound, and CT scans available on-site to accurately and quickly diagnose injuries.

Remember: while it might be tempting to brush off a minor auto accident, the potential for delayed pain and other symptoms makes it important to take your health seriously. Protect your health and well-being in the aftermath of an auto accident with care from our team at Memorial Springs ER. Call us at 346-899-6737, or book online now.