What happens after a car crash largely depends on the severity of the collision at issue. When people call local authorities to report a wreck, they usually have to provide basic information about the incident. They inform the person who answers the phone about the number of vehicles involved and the location of the crash.
They also ask for specific types of support based on what happened during the wreck. In some cases, people only need police officers to come to the scene of the crash so that they can file a collision report. Other times, medical care may be necessary at the scene of the crash. The people involved may require emergency transportation to a medical facility.
Certain injuries are obvious after a collision, making it easy for people to recognize that someone needs help. Other injuries can be harder to identify. Those involved in collisions should avoid making assumptions about their condition after a wreck.
Some injuries are easy to overlook
There are numerous reasons why people can make mistakes when evaluating themselves and others for injuries after a crash. The body’s stress response in a dangerous situation can hide pain symptoms and prevent people from noticing that they sustained injuries.
Additionally, many of the worst injuries caused by crashes are internal injuries. Someone who hit their head during the crash or got shaken around may have developed swelling or bleeding inside the skull. Medical professionals sometimes refer to traumatic brain injuries like concussions as invisible injuries. Not only does the physical injury occur deep inside the body, but the symptoms that the injury produces can take days or weeks to become obvious.
People in the vehicles could also have traumatic injuries to their chests or abdomens that could put their health at risk. Internal bleeding is a serious medical issue that people generally cannot diagnose in themselves.
Those involved in collisions can also have delayed-onset symptoms if they have whiplash or other soft-tissue injuries. The best way to determine the medical consequences of a collision is to see a health care professional. Doctors can evaluate people closely and order specialized imaging tests to affirmatively diagnose brain injuries, soft tissue injuries and fractures.
Connecting significant injuries to a recent car crash can make it possible for the injured parties to seek compensation later. Insurance coverage and litigation can both help people cover the expenses of medical treatment and lost wages after a collision causes physical harm.