If I don’t feel injured after an automobile accident, do I have to see a doctor?
Most people who get in a car accident but don’t feel injured express feelings of gratitude for their luck. It’s hard to think about how an accident could have been worse, but even if you are thanking your lucky stars, you should still see a doctor, advise car accident lawyers Roberts & Jeandron. There are legal and medical reasons why you should always get checked out by a medical professional after a car accident.
First, if you don’t see a doctor now but later on decide to file a personal injury claim, then you will be questioned by the insurance company as to why you waited so long. Secondly, some injuries take hours or days to become noticeable, so seeing a doctor right away can help you avoid being in pain later on. The good news is that most personal injury attorneys offer free consultations to new clients, so you can sit down with an attorney and get legal advice on your automobile accident today.
Within Hours After An Accident
Immediately after your accident, you likely experienced a surge of adrenaline. Known as the “fight or flight response,” it is meant to help you survive in dangerous and stressful situations. By increasing your pain tolerance and energy levels, this automatic bodily response can last for several hours. Once it subsides and your body returns to its normal state, that’s when the pain starts to kick in.
A life-threatening condition that is not immediately apparent is internal bleeding. When capillaries burst under the skin, it takes hours for them to bleed out enough for the patient to notice, but by then, they are already in a medical emergency. Fortunately, a doctor can rule out internal injuries after an accident if the victim goes to the nearest emergency room immediately. It is important for you to get checked out by a doctor who can confirm that you are not suffering from any injuries.
Within Days After An Accident
An example of a delayed response injury is whiplash. When the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in the neck and shoulders are stretched beyond their normal range of motion in a car accident, they tear. Over time, without treatment, the muscles can become inflamed. Most people with severe whiplash don’t notice it at first, but within a few days, they can’t move their neck.
If you feel nauseated, imbalanced, or like you’re sort of “off,” then you may want to get checked out for neurological or brain injuries. There have been cases of brain bleeds from trauma that car accident victims initially dismissed as slight headaches that eventually worsened. Some people have seemingly recovered from car accidents without a scratch, only to find out later that they have a brain hemorrhage.
Peace Of Mind Regarding Your Health
The body is meant to heal. You have living cells in your body that are constantly repairing themselves. Your body is not like an object that gets worn down. Instead, new cells grow to help you continue living. But suppose you don’t get checked out by a licensed practitioner after a car accident. In that case, you may not notice underlying issues that could eventually affect how you walk and use your hands, or cause discomfort later on.
You deserve peace of mind knowing that you are healing from your injury the way your body is supposed to. Minor injuries are still injuries that affect your daily life. Compensating for minor injuries can lead to other problems, such as when an aggravated knee causes you to use the other leg too much. Physical therapists agree that even minor aches and pains after an accident can be warning signs of later issues if not taken care of soon.
Why You Need To See A Doctor Now
An example can help illustrate why it’s important to see a doctor. A 34-year-old man was in a car accident and suffered minor injuries to his neck, shoulder, and arm. He reported the crash to the police but refused medical care at the side of the road and didn’t see a doctor. The pain and soreness in his shoulder worsened, but he continued to work at the local grocery store because he didn’t want to upset his boss. He asked his friends on social media what he should do because work was aggravating his injury. He received all sorts of answers from friends who, despite their good intentions, could not provide him the information on his rights that an attorney could provide. Three weeks after his accident, he finally saw a doctor and talked to a lawyer.
What complicated this case was that he did not seek medical attention right away and aggravated his injury, which the insurance company was quick to point out. Then, instead of getting advice from an attorney, he sought advice from friends who advised him to do or say things that could actually hurt his personal injury case. You should never discuss your car accident or injury on any social media site. Insurance companies can use your posts and comments against you in personal injury cases.
Hire An Attorney
Many people, like this victim, do not seek medical attention because they are afraid of being stuck with medical debt. That is also the reason why they don’t contact an attorney. However, most personal injury attorneys offer free consultations, so there’s no financial risk if you talk to a lawyer about your case. They may advise you to go to the nearest emergency room to get checked out.
They fight for you to get the compensation you deserve for any exams, scans, lab tests, medications, or other medical expenses you incur. They also work hard for you to get compensation for other damages, such as emotional distress, lost wages, and your damaged vehicle. Getting into an accident is stressful, but a personal injury attorney can make the claims process easier and act as your legal representative. So don’t delay speaking to an automobile accident attorney today.
