Accidents - regardless of severity - are distressing. Whether it is a minor incident or a major collision, seeking professional medical care ensures your health, best interests and legal protection.
Seeing a doctor after a car accident is crucial. Sure, you may feel like you are tough and fine, but some injuries may not manifest symptoms until hours, days or even weeks to months later. Because adrenaline and shock can mask pain or discomfort, leading you to underestimate the extent of your injuries.
That is why a medical professional's expertise is crucial for a thorough and complete examination to identify any underlying injuries that may go undetected and untreated. Prompt diagnosis and treatment can prevent further complications and facilitate a faster recovery.
Let’s see why you must visit a doctor after an accident.
You Will Receive Instant Care
As mentioned earlier, some injuries may not immediately present symptoms. Soft tissue injuries, concussions, whiplash, and internal injuries are just a few examples of conditions that may have delayed onset symptoms. Furthermore, spinal and joint injuries to your knees, hips and shoulders are not identifiably on early medical imaging often complete at the emergency room and you need to obtain MRIs to learn if you have spinal or joint injuries from a crash – these are only ever obtain through medical follow up treatment within weeks to a month after an accident. A doctor's evaluation can identify these hidden injuries, enabling timely treatment and preventing long-term complications.
Ignoring or downplaying these injuries can lead to worsening pain, restricted mobility, and prolonged recovery periods. Finally, any delay in identifying these injuries will be unfairly used by the defendant insurance companies in seeking to unreasonably prejudice and challenge your injury case.
Even if your accident was not severe enough to call an ambulance, you should still visit a doctor at your earliest convenience and seek follow up care, so you can begin the treatment plan before things get worse. Beyond spinal and common joint injuries in car crashes, you also can’t rule out a large universe of other injuries including, but not limited to, things like dislocations or ligament tears. Delaying treatment only increases the risk of further damage and can prejudice you in your injury case from seeking reasonable compensation for your injuries.
Any Injuries You Have Will Be Documented
When you enter a healthcare facility and register to see a doctor, the clinic documents every service you receive. Medical records serve as crucial evidence in personal injury claims or legal proceedings that may arise from the accident.
The documentation will include the time you were admitted, your diagnosis, the treatment, and how much it cost. It strengthens your case should you need to pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, or other damages. This also proves that the defendant caused you harm and helps frame the scope of the injuries.
Without medical documentation, it becomes challenging to establish a direct correlation between the accident and your injuries, potentially weakening your legal position in your case. This is another reason why seeing a doctor after a car accident is so important for not just your health but establishing timely evidence used to support injuries alleged to have been caused by the crash. Don’t underestimate the importance of doing this to protect your rights and bests interests following a car crash.
Address Emotional Trauma
An accident can also have a significant emotional impact, often resulting in feelings of anxiety, stress, or even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Seeking medical attention allows healthcare professionals to assess your emotional well-being and to assist with issues relating to continued driving after a crash. They can provide appropriate support, counseling, or referrals to mental health specialists if necessary. Taking care of your emotional health is just as crucial as addressing physical injuries, as it plays a vital role in your overall recovery process.
Contact Whalen Injury Lawyers Today!
Don't delay seeking medical attention if you've been in an accident. And if you need legal guidance or representation, contact a trusted personal injury law firm like Whalen Injury Lawyers. We'll handle the rest while you focus on getting treated and documenting your care during your recovery
