When you are injured in a car accident, you may quickly assess yourself and determine that you feel fine. As such, you may think receiving medical treatment is unnecessary, instead exchanging insurance information with the other driver before leaving the scene. However, in the days after the accident, you may experience pain or discomfort caused by an injury that was never diagnosed. As such, the following blog explores why it’s important to see a doctor after a car accident, especially if you wish to seek compensation for damages. You’ll also discover how a Pasco County, FL car accident lawyer can help you fight for justice.
What Injuries Can I Sustain in a Car Accident?
Though collisions can range from minor fender-benders that result in a few scratches or dents to serious wrecks that total vehicles, injuries can happen in any instance of an accident. As such, it’s imperative to familiarize yourself with the injuries you can sustain due to the negligence of another person. Common injuries include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Broken bones
- Soft tissue injuries (sprains, strains, contusions, etc.)
- Traumatic brain injuries (concussions, Diffuse Axonal Injury, intracranial hemorrhaging, etc.)
- Lacerations
- Crush injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Neck and spinal cord injuries
Do I Really Need to See a Doctor After?
If you are involved in a car accident, you may feel okay in the moments immediately after, leading you to believe you didn’t sustain an injury. However, this could also be because of your body’s natural response to these instances, which is to pump adrenaline through your body. As such, you may not feel pain or discomfort because the adrenaline is masking it, making it critical to receive medical attention after an accident.
You should request emergency medical technicians to the accident scene and allow them to examine you. They can help determine if you have any injuries that require urgent medical care. Even if the EMTs inform you that you’re okay, it’s in your best interest to see your doctor in the days following the accident. Some injuries, like concussions, do not immediately present themselves, meaning you may not experience symptoms until a few days later.
Additionally, your doctor will want to note that you were involved in a collision in your records. They may also order further imaging to help ensure you are in good health. If you feel pain or they diagnose an injury, they can provide you with a treatment plan to mitigate the issues.
Finally, when you are in an accident and do not seek medical attention, the negligent party can hold this against you. They will likely claim that the injuries you sustained were not severe if you denied care or that you made your injuries worse by failing to receive care.
If seeking compensation for damages sustained in an accident, the Law Offices of Matthew J. Jowanna can help. We understand how complex these issues can be, which is why we are dedicated to helping you recover compensation. Connect with us today to learn more