What Are the Symptoms of Shock After a Car or Truck Accident?

Car and truck accidents can cause severe and life-threatening injuries. However, most of the time, we only think of visible injuries, such as broken and fractured bones, scarring and disfigurement, and more.

One of the most serious but often less talked about injuries is shock, which is a serious type of condition that can potentially emerge after a truck or car accident.

The different types of shock that drivers and passengers may experience after a collision

According to the Mayo Clinic, shock is “a critical condition brought on by the sudden drop in blood flow through the body.” Therefore, if you have suffered severe blood loss or experienced a traumatic blow to the body, there is a high chance that you may enter a state of physical shock. There are several different types of shock, including:

• Cardiogenic shock: Cardiogenic shock is a very serious type of shock in which a person’s heart is unable to pump adequate blood to the rest of the body. As a result, the body cannot get the blood it needs to survive and thrive. This type of shock does not happen often, but when it does, only around half of the people diagnosed end up surviving.
• Hypovolemic shock: Hypovolemic shock occurs when an individual loses large amounts of fluids or blood in a short period of time. As a result, they do not have enough blood moving throughout their body, which reduces their blood volume. This is a very dangerous condition as your body may have trouble keeping its bodily temperature steady, preventing blood clots from forming, and even ensuring that your cells receive the proper nutrients they need.
• Neurogenic shock: Neurogenic shock is another serious type of shock. It usually occurs when a person has a severe injury, such as a spinal cord injury, which prevents oxygen from being able to get to the proper organs. If left untreated, it can quickly lead to death.
• Obstructive shock: When an individual has obstructive shock, it is typically because there is something in the way or obstructing the blood from making its way from and to the heart or major blood vessels. Often, this condition is caused by a collapsed lung or blood clot that is blocking the blood’s pathway. Individuals diagnosed with this type of shock must be immediately treated to avoid further complications or death. However, “Obstructive shock is a rare type of shock, making up about 1% or 2% of shock cases. It has a higher survival rate than the more common types of shock.”

What are the signs of shock?

After experiencing a car or truck accident, it is quite normal to feel confused and anxious. This is because you just experienced one of the most terrifying and traumatic experiences that a person can go through. However, even though these feelings are normal, it is essential that you seek medical treatment to ensure that you’re not actually suffering from shock. Here are some of the signs and symptoms that may indicate that you or a loved one are experiencing shock:

• Having skin that is clammy or cold to touch
• Passing out or fainting
• Fast pulse or heartbeat
• Blue or gray fingertips
• Fast breathing or feeling out of breath
• Feeling weak
• Feeling extremely tired or fatigued
• Feeling dizzy
• Increased anxiety or irritability

Immediately following your accident, you should call 9-1-1 as quickly as possible. Even if you do not see any physical signs of injuries, you could have hidden or underlying injuries that could result in shock. As a result, you want to alert emergency medical professionals about your symptoms to ensure that you receive the proper medical assistance. If you need to be transported to a nearby hospital, let the emergency medical team know immediately.

How long does shock last after a crash?

With proper medical attention, the effects from shock can last for several days, weeks, or even months after a crash. It is important to know and understand that not every person’s condition is the same. Therefore, while you may recover from shock within a couple weeks, your passenger, for example, may take a few months to make a full recovery. In addition, if shock is not properly treated within a certain timeframe, the person may suffer from long-term effects for the rest of their lives.

Can you have delayed shock after a car or truck crash?

Yes, you can have delayed shock after a car or truck crash. This is usually a type of psychological shock, which means that it took some time for the psychological effects of your accident to arise. Therefore, if it has been a few days or a couple weeks since your accident and you start to experience certain psychological or mental health issues, you are likely suffering from delayed shock. Symptoms of delayed shock can range from digestive problems and headaches to sleep apnea and amaxophobia (fear of driving).

If you have delayed symptoms that sound similar to the major types of shock mentioned above, this is typically because you have an underlying injury that is becoming worse and needs to be treated promptly. For example, if you have a head or neck injury, you may have delayed neurogenic shock because the blood circulation to your brain may be blocked and become worse as time passes. When this happens, it is a medical emergency and must be treated right away.

The Richmond-based car and truck accident attorneys from Phelan Petty Injury Lawyers are aware of the fact that crashes and collisions cause a variety of different injuries and conditions, which can impact individuals’ daily lives in tremendous ways. Therefore, if you suffered shock or delayed shock after a truck or car accident in Richmond, please call our office or complete our contact form to schedule your free case review today. We will guide and support you through the entire process, ensuring that everything remains as smooth and hassle-free as possible. Our team happily assists clients throughout all of Virginia.