Car crashes can cause a variety of traumatic injuries, including fractures. The intense force generated during a collision can cause catastrophic fractures.
In severe cases where a bone breaks into many pieces or tears through the skin, people usually recognize immediately that they require medical attention due to pain or visible damage to their bodies. Other times, people with fractures may discover their injuries the next day or substantially later.
How is it possible for a person with a broken bone to leave the scene of a crash, unaware of their physical injuries?
The fracture could be stable
Not all broken bones end up out of alignment. Sometimes, the fracture merely cracks the bone, but the body part appears normal. Stable fractures can produce swelling or mild pain, but major symptoms may not be present immediately.
Instead, the injured person may notice the fracture when they exert themselves at the gym or fall while working. Any exertion or trauma that pushes the bone out of alignment can worsen symptoms and force the injured party to seek treatment.
The body hides early symptoms
The human stress response helps protect people during catastrophic experiences. Unfortunately, it also makes it possible for people to overlook their injuries. The increase in energy and masking of pain symptoms produced by a stress response can lead people to assume that they did not sustain injuries when they actually require medical attention.
Seeing a doctor promptly after a crash can help people optimize their prognosis and protect their right to pursue compensation. An insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit can help people cover the costs of car crash injuries when another driver was at fault for an injurious wreck.
