When you’re involved in a car accident, you may be surprised that you feel okay. After assessing yourself quickly, the lack of pain may lead you to deny medical care at the scene. However, as time passes and your adrenaline begins to wear off, you may find yourself in pain. It’s important to understand that it’s in your best interest to connect with experienced car accident attorneys who can help guide you through the aftermath of these matters. Keep reading to learn why you should see a doctor as soon as possible after an accident occurs.
What injuries can result from a car accident?
Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for those involved in a car accident to sustain injuries, even if the crash was a relatively minor fender-bender. As such, understanding the most common injuries you may endure as the victim of an accident can help you stay aware of the pain you may experience as a result. These injuries include, but are by no means limited to, the following:
- Broken bones
- Sprains
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
- Back and spinal cord damage
- Lacerations
- Internal organ damage
Why do I need to see my doctor after a crash?
Unfortunately, many people deny medical care at the scene of an accident because they feel okay immediately after. However, this could be because your body is in shock or full of adrenaline to help mask the pain of injuries you sustained. As such, letting the emergency medical technicians assess you at the scene is critical to ensure that there are no serious issues you may be overlooking. If they have reasons to be concerned, they will advise you to seek emergency medical attention.
Additionally, if there seem to be no present issues, it’s still in your best interest to schedule an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible. It’s important to inform your doctor that you were involved in an accident and the extent of the damage you endured, so they can make note of this in your file. Additionally, if pain arises between when you were examined at the scene and your appointment, your doctor can help treat you.
Not only is immediate medical care imperative to mitigate the potential health risks associated with delayed care, but it can benefit any claims you wish to make in the future. Denying medical care at the scene of an accident and failing to seek care in the days following can be used against you by the negligent party and their insurance agency. They will claim that since you didn’t request treatment, the injuries you sustained must not be that bad. Additionally, they can try to hold you liable because you failed to mitigate the risk by going untreated.
If you’ve been hurt in a car accident and want to fight for the compensation you deserve, the team at Friedman Schuman Layser is here. Connect with us today to learn how we can help you recover the funds you are entitled to.
