Car accidents often cause injuries that are immediately obvious, like broken bones or lacerations, but they can also trigger unexpected medical issues that develop quietly in the hours and days that follow. One of these complications is high blood pressure, which may seem minor at first but can indicate serious underlying trauma. Sometimes a spike in blood pressure is simply the body’s natural stress response; other times it reflects internal bleeding, head trauma, or cardiovascular strain that requires immediate medical attention.
At Tronfeld West & Durrett, our Richmond car accident lawyer team has seen how post-accident complications – especially those overlooked in the emergency room – can affect both health outcomes and legal claims. This guide will help you understand these symptoms, ensure proper documentation of medical care, and protect your right to compensation under Virginia law.
Why Blood Pressure Can Spike After a Car Accident
High blood pressure after injury or trauma is common because of the body’s natural stress response. When you are in a collision, adrenaline and cortisol surge through the bloodstream, raising heart rate and blood pressure to prepare the body for “fight or flight.” This reaction may resolve within hours, but for some victims it lingers, signaling something more serious.
According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, high blood pressure is dangerous because it forces the heart and arteries to work harder than normal. When it appears after a crash, the cause may be emotional stress, but it can also stem from pain, internal bleeding, or direct injury to organs. These risks are why medical professionals caution against ignoring spikes in blood pressure after a car accident.
Our attorneys also remind clients that physical trauma is only one factor. Psychological distress after a crash – fear of driving again, anxiety about costs, or the shock of being injured – can also contribute to sustained hypertension.
For answers to your questions, call:
800-321-6741
What to Do If You Experience High Blood Pressure After a Crash
If your blood pressure spikes following a collision, seek immediate medical care – even if you do not notice other injuries. Emergency physicians in Virginia hospitals are trained to evaluate accident-related conditions, and they may order imaging or lab work to rule out internal bleeding or cardiac complications. Keeping detailed medical documentation of symptoms, diagnoses, and treatment is vital. Not only does this protect your health, but it also creates a record that links high blood pressure after a car accident directly to the crash.
Victims should also follow up with their primary care physician or a specialist to ensure blood pressure levels stabilize. Skipping this step allows insurers to argue that your hypertension was unrelated, which can undermine your claim.
How Tronfeld West & Durrett Can Help
Our attorneys have decades of experience handling car accident claims where medical complications like high blood pressure are contested. Insurance companies frequently argue that hypertension is a preexisting condition, but we know how to use hospital records, expert medical testimony, and accident evidence to demonstrate that the crash caused or aggravated the problem.
“Insurance companies often attempt to dismiss high blood pressure after a car accident as merely stress-related or a pre-existing condition,” explains Jay Tronfeld, attorney at Tronfeld West & Durrett. “Yet our experience shows that initial ER blood pressure readings and diagnostic records provide compelling evidence that a collision can cause serious physiological trauma – beyond just emotional distress.”
In a case following a Prince George County crash where our client sustained a brain injury, the insurer downplayed the medical complications. We relied on hospital documentation and physician testimony to show how the crash triggered neurological damage, ultimately securing a substantial settlement for the injured driver. The same methodology applies to cases involving hypertension after a wreck: systematic, documented medical data can transform a disputed symptom into a powerful claim for recovery.
Protecting Your Health and Your Rights After a Car Accident
High blood pressure after a car accident should never be ignored. Sometimes it is a temporary stress response, but it can also reveal serious underlying trauma. In Virginia, where more than 122,000 crashes were reported in 2024, even seemingly small complications can carry major health and legal consequences.
The safest approach is immediate medical evaluation, followed by experienced legal guidance to ensure your symptoms are fully documented and compensated. If you experienced high blood pressure after a crash, contact Tronfeld West & Durrett for a free consultation. We have represented Virginia accident victims for over 50 years, combining strong medical evidence with proven legal strategies to protect your health and your rights.
Click to contact us today
FAQs About High Blood Pressure After a Car Accident
Can high blood pressure after a car accident be serious?
Yes. While it may be a temporary stress response, high blood pressure after a crash can also signal internal bleeding, head trauma, or cardiac complications that require immediate medical care.
Can an injury cause high blood pressure?
Yes. Physical trauma, pain, or inflammation from an injury can raise blood pressure. Traumatic brain injuries, organ damage, and spinal trauma are all conditions that may lead to hypertension after a crash.
What should I do if I have high blood pressure after a car accident?
Seek emergency medical care right away, even if you do not have visible injuries. Early treatment documents the condition, rules out hidden trauma, and protects your legal claim.
How does high blood pressure affect a personal injury claim in Virginia?
Medical records linking your elevated blood pressure to the crash strengthen your claim. Without documentation, insurers may argue the condition was preexisting or unrelated, reducing your compensation.
Is high blood pressure after injury common?
Yes. Adrenaline and stress can cause temporary spikes, but persistent hypertension after an accident should always be checked by a doctor to rule out serious complications.
Why is documenting high blood pressure after a crash important?
Documentation shows the accident caused the complication and supports claims for medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering. In Virginia’s contributory negligence system, thorough evidence is crucial to avoid losing compensation.
Call or text 800-321-6741 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
