Car accidents are scary. The first moments afterward often include the people involved making sure they — and anybody in the vehicle with them — are not seriously injured. They’ll look for blood or feel if they have broken bones. And if they’re lucky enough to avoid suffering from any of these negative outcomes, it can be tempting to shake it off and go home.
This is understandable. There’s nothing better than being safe at home after a traumatic event. Most people want to take a shower, surround themselves with loved ones, and try to move on as quickly as possible.
However, this can actually lead to future problems if you don’t take care of yourself properly. There are negative effects that can be seen not only in your health but also in how the insurance payments are figured out. Even with the ongoing pandemic, you should not hesitate to visit an E.R. or your doctor after an accident. They have safeguards in place and, in some instances, you can be seen virtually.
A quick trip to the doctor, even when it doesn’t seem entirely necessary, can make a huge difference in keeping you in the best possible condition after a car accident.
Delayed Injuries
Car accidents get your heart rate up and your adrenaline flowing. This is why many people emerge from a car wreck and seemingly have an endless amount of energy. It’s not that they got a really good night of sleep the night before. The trauma from the accident has caused their bodies to release large amounts of hormones that focus their attention and can even dull pain.
A victim of a car accident might feel fine afterwards, but that doesn’t mean they didn’t sustain injuries. Open wounds and broken bones are difficult to dismiss, but injuries to muscles, joints, tendons, and other soft tissues can’t be seen with the naked eye.
In fact, these injuries can take days — or even weeks — to show themselves through stiffness and soreness. Waiting to treat these injuries can have negative effects not only on your body, but on any case you attempt to file with a car accident lawyer.
Restitution for Damages
Your injuries resulting from a car accident are going to be the same the day after the injury as they are going to be a week after the injury. However, that won’t matter to the insurance company representing the other person involved in your car crash. More time between the doctor’s visit and the accident gives them the chance to say your injuries could have come from somewhere else.
And while it might be obvious to you that your injuries are a direct result from the car accident, the ability to cast doubt on this claim is the insurance company’s goal.
These medical bills can quickly become expensive. You don’t want to be on the hook for something that wasn’t your fault. The best way to avoid this is to go to a doctor as soon as you can after being involved in a car accident. This will give your car accident lawyer all the proof they need to get you the compensation you deserve.
Long-term Effects
Seemingly less serious injuries from a car accident can grow to become serious after all. Failure to receive adequate treatment in a reasonable amount of time can leave you with long-standing issues.
Whiplash is a frequent result of car accidents. It’s caused by a sudden and violent motion, throwing the head backwards while the body remains still. The symptoms of whiplash can sometimes take weeks to show up. Failure to receive medical attention can result in damage to your spine, which can cause headaches, neck pain, and back pain.
Soft tissue injuries are difficult to detect. They can’t be easily seen like other injuries. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t serious. Tearing a muscle, tendon, or ligament can be extremely painful. The potential issues it can lead to become increasingly serious the longer the condition is untreated.
These issues, however, can be easily found with x-rays. This helps doctors to begin treatment right away to avoid an increase in pain and severity of the injury.
When Should You Go?
The easiest answer to this question is that you should go to the doctor as soon as possible. Severe injuries should be met with immediate care, no matter what time of day or where you are. Other injuries should be examined by a doctor within a day of the car accident.
Seeing a doctor quickly gives you the best chance at avoiding an increase in severity of your injury. It also helps your car accident attorney by removing any doubt that your injuries were sustained in the car accident, making you more likely to receive compensation.
Need a Car Accident Attorney in Tennessee or Kentucky?
Bart Durham Injury Law represents victims of car accidents to get them the compensation they deserve. Have you been injured in a car accident? Give our expert team a call today.
