What Are the Symptoms of Shock After a Car Accident?
Per Mayo Clinic, some signs of shock after a car accident include:
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Enlarged pupils
- Dizziness
- Weakness
- Fatigue
- Clammy skin
- A rapid heartbeat
Shock can also cause psychological symptoms, including anxiety and agitation. It’s important to seek medical care immediately after a car accident, regardless of whether you experience symptoms of shock. While seeking a professional’s opinion, you should consider your legal options. To get started on your case with our car accident lawyer, call us at (954) 633-8270.
Why Would Someone Experience Shock After a Car Accident?
Shock happens when a traumatic event prevents the organs from getting enough blood or oxygen. This condition can result from car accidents, heatstroke, blood loss, and burns. If left untreated, shock could cause permanent organ damage and even death. That’s why it’s crucial for a car accident survivor to seek immediate medical attention.
A healthcare professional can:
- Elevate the legs and feet. Putting someone in this position can improve blood flow throughout the body.
- Administer medication. Oral or intravenous medication may lower a person’s heart rate, reducing shock’s toll on the body.
- Loosen tight clothing. Tight clothing can affect a person’s breathing or generate more stress.
- Start cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Severe shock may cause loss of consciousness, which can then impede the injured person’s breathing. A healthcare professional may start CPR until the patient can start breathing on their own. They may intubate the patient to further stabilize them.
A person in shock may require hospitalization. The length of their stay (and the treatment they receive) depends on many factors, including whether they have any pre-existing health conditions.
Shock Can Happen Alongside Other Serious Conditions
While a person may experience shock in a car accident, sometimes, shock accompanies other conditions, such as:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Soft-tissue injuries, such as whiplash
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord trauma
- Blood loss
- Lacerations
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
- Burns
- The loss of one or more limbs
When a car accident victim arrives for treatment, their healthcare team will focus on stabilizing their health, as shock is a time-sensitive condition that can worsen quickly. Then, they can treat any conditions related to shock, such as the ones listed above.
What To Know About Suffering Shock in a Car Accident
If you suffered shock in a collision, your doctor can offer the information needed to promote a full recovery. The information on this page is not intended to substitute an expert’s assessment. However, here are the answers to some general questions you might have about shock:
How Long Does Shock Last?
There is no set timeframe for how long shock lasts because every case is different. The sooner an injured person seeks medical help, the sooner they could recover.
Emotional shock is another matter. The anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic symptoms that could arise from a collision could last indefinitely. Once your physical shock has subsided, you may consider visiting a mental health professional. Through counseling, you could process your trauma and move forward.
Does Shock Go Away On its Own?
As noted, shock is when the body’s organs don’t get enough blood or oxygen. This condition does not go away on its own. It requires intensive medical care to promote one’s chances of survival.
Here’s something to consider. Per MedlinePlus, one out of every five people with shock passes away. If you’re considering whether you should seek medical attention, err on the side of caution and do so.
What Situations Can Cause Shock?
Some situations that could cause shock include:
- Collisions involving cars, buses, trucks, and bicycles
- Slips, trips, and falls
- Medical malpractice
- Nursing home abuse
- Drownings and near-fatal drownings
- Assaults from negligent security
You have legal options in each of these situations. If you suffered shock from a negligence-related incident, you could partner with our Miami personal injury lawyers. We can file your claim, gather evidence, and negotiate a settlement with the insurer.
You Can Partner With Our Lawyers After Suffering Shock in a Car Accident
Our lawyers have served the residents of South Florida for more than 20 years. In that time, we’ve recovered millions in damages––including a $3.85 million settlement for a car accident claimant. When we take on your injury case, we fight hard for the compensation you deserve. We aim to seek financial recovery for:
- Medical bills
- Pain and suffering
- Lost income
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Property damage costs
- Disability
- Scarring
- Wrongful death-related expenses, such as funeral costs
- Anything out of pocket you spent related to the collision
Begin Your Free Case Review To Learn More About Your Car Accident Case
If you’re interested in exploring your legal options after suffering shock from a car accident, we want to hear from you. We stand ready to handle each of your legal matters, from investigating your collision to filing your case. Contact us at the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato, call (954) 633-8270.
