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You are here: Home / Blog / How to Know if Someone is in Shock

How to Know if Someone is in Shock

November 27, 2015 by Christopher

A car accident victim may experience shock, a life-threatening medical condition that can worsen quickly.

auto accident injury St. Louis

Every year, car accidents claim the lives of thousands of people. While most of these deaths are a direct result of car accident injuries, a large number of deaths are caused by shock. It is important to understand the signs of shock so that you can help a victim until emergency personnel arrives.

Shock After a Car Crash

After a car accident, a victim may experience two types of shock: physiological and psychological. Physiological shock is a medical term used to refer to the state a person enters when tissues and organs do not receive enough blood and oxygen. Psychological shock can mimic physiological shock and one can experience it after a traumatic experience either from physical or emotional trauma. A car accident victim can experience both these types of shocks and it is important to get early medical treatment to prevent complications or death.

Signs and Symptoms of Shock

A person who has gone into shock may not be able to answer basic questions such as name, location, or what time of the day it is. Failure to answer any of these questions could indicate that the victim is experiencing shock. Other symptoms include:

  • nausea and weakness
  • pale, clammy skin
  • profuse sweating
  • shallow, fast breathing
  • fast pulse in the neck
  • unconsciousness
  • blue or white lips and fingernails
  • confusion

Until Help Arrives

It is important to seek immediate medical attention for shock. Here are a few things that you can do to help the patient while you wait for emergency personnel.

  • Keep the victim warm with a blanket or coat to conserve body heat.
  • Loosen clothing.
  • Control bleeding with pressure.
  • Elevate the feet, but try not to move the patient if he or she has suffered a serious injury such as a possible spinal injury.
  • Reassure the patient.
  • Remain calm.

St. Louis Car Wreck Injuries

If you have been injured by a negligent driver, you can make a claim for compensation with the help of a St. Louis car accident attorney. Call The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. at (314) 361-4242.

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: Auto Accident Injury

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    The images included on this site are not actual attorneys, events, or clients. The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely on advertisements. The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. We invite you to contact us and welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not send any confidential information to us until such time as an attorney-client relationship has been established. Attorney Chris Hoffmann handles car and truck accident claims throughout Eastern Missouri and Western Illinois. He represents injured clients in St. Louis, St. Charles, St. Peters, Clayton, East St. Louis, Alton, Hillsboro and Belleville, and other cities in St. Louis County, St. Charles County, and Jefferson Country, MO, and St. Clair County and Madison County, IL.