Delayed Symptoms After a Car Collison
February 2026
During a traumatic event, such as a car collision your body floods with adrenaline and endorphins. These are natural stress hormones and painkillers. This survial mechanism is designed to help you escape the immediate danger that may surround a collision scene. Adrenaline increases your heart rate and blood pressue and provides energy which masks the pain and injury. Endorphins act as natural opiods which create a temporary state of reduced pain.
This state caused by the release of adrenaline and endorphins can last for hours after a car collision. This state effecticvely delays the sensation of pain untl the chemicals subside in the sytem. Once the stress response wears off, the underlying injuries begin to announce themselves.
Some of the common injuries that show up after a car collision are neck sprain, back strain, concussion, internal bleeding, spinal injuries, psychological injuries and jaw pain.
The delay of injuries after a car collision does not mean that you are uninjured. The delay is a standard physiological repsonse. Even if a person feels fine after a car collision, they should be immediately evaluated. This initial evaluation can document the event and allow baseline exams to be peformed.
At Herrick & Hart, we have been on the side of the injured since 1951. We offer a free consultaion on personal injury cases.