Most people expect to feel pain right after a car accident, but that’s not always how the body works. The shock of a crash can flood your system with adrenaline, which temporarily masks pain. Some injuries, especially those involving your body’s soft tissue, the spine, or the brain, may not fully show up until hours, days, or even weeks later. For this reason, anyone involved in a motor vehicle accident should be cautious, monitor their health closely, and understand their rights under state law.