While no one hopes to be in a car accident, they unfortunately happen. And sometimes, these accidents lead to injuries. These injuries can be visible and catastrophic, or sometimes, they can be invisible or delayed.
If you see no apparent injuries or feel no excruciating pain, you might think you’re perfectly fine and choose not go to the doctor. This is not advisable.
Skipping a visit to the doctor is a big mistake. Your body has gone through a serious trauma, and you need to make sure you are truly okay before you try to go back to your normal life. Many people worry about the cost of the hospital or think their pain will go away on its own. But waiting too long can hurt your body and your chance to get money for your medical bills.
This guide explains why seeing a doctor immediately after an accident is the best choice for your health and your future.
Key Takeaways of Why It’s Important to Get Medical Attention After an Accident
- You may not feel pain right away after an accident because adrenaline can mask injuries for hours or even days.
- Serious injuries can be hidden, such as whiplash, concussions, internal bleeding, and soft-tissue damage that worsen without treatment.
- Delaying medical care can make injuries worse and lead to long-term health problems that could have been prevented with early treatment.
- Seeing a doctor right away creates medical records that clearly link your injuries to the accident and protect your ability to prove what happened.
- Consistent follow-up care matters, since gaps in treatment can be used to argue that your injuries were not serious or accident-related.
Why You Might Not Feel Pain Immediately
After a crash, your body naturally goes into survival mode. It releases a chemical called adrenaline. This is natural energy that helps you handle dangerous situations. It makes your heart beat faster and makes you more alert.
The problem is that adrenaline masks pain after accident injuries. You might walk around the accident scene, talk to the other driver, and call your family without feeling any pain. You might think you escaped the accident without a scratch.
Hours or even days later, that energy wears off. That is when the pain starts, and you begin to notice the real effects of the accident. You might wake up the next morning with a stiff neck, a bad headache, or severe back pain.
Just because you feel okay right after an accident does not mean you are uninjured. You cannot trust your feelings immediately after a crash. You need a medical professional to examine you, so you truly understand how this accident affected your body.
Hidden Injuries That Appear Later
Car accidents can cause injuries inside your body that you cannot see. These are called “hidden and latent injuries.” If you do not treat them, they can get much worse.
Whiplash
This happens when your head snaps back and forth quickly, like a whip. It damages the muscles and ligaments in your neck. According to the Mayo Clinic, signs of whiplash might not show up for a while. You might feel stiffness, headaches, or pain in your shoulders later.
Concussions
A concussion is a brain injury caused by a hit to the head or violent shaking. You do not have to pass out to have a concussion. Symptoms can include headaches, confusion, dizziness, or feeling sleepy. You should see a doctor if you have trouble waking up, are vomiting, or have a headache that gets worse.
Internal Bleeding
This is one of the most serious injuries because you cannot see it, and it is difficult to sense. The seatbelt or steering wheel can press hard against your stomach. This can damage your organs.
Signs of internal bleeding include stomach pain, deep bruising, feeling weak, or fainting. If you have these signs, you need emergency help fast.
Soft Tissue Injuries
These are injuries to your muscles, tendons, and ligaments. They can happen anywhere in your body. They often cause swelling and bruising that takes time to appear.
The Health Risks of Waiting
If you ignore pain, a small problem can turn into a lifelong problem. For example, a minor back injury could turn into chronic pain that keeps you from working. A concussion that is not treated can cause memory problems or mood changes.
The importance of immediate medical treatment cannot be overstated. By seeing a doctor right away, you catch these problems early. Doctors can use X-rays or MRI scans to see what is happening inside your body. They can give you medicine or therapy to help you heal correctly.
Do not gamble with your health. It is better to be safe and get checked out.
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Why Medical Records Matter for Your Case
If you were hurt because of someone else’s mistake, you might want to file an insurance claim or a lawsuit. This can help you get money to pay for your medical bills and car repairs. However, insurance companies are businesses. They want to pay you as little as possible.
Important Information: How to Get Your Medical Record After an Accident in Missouri
Proving You Are Hurt
The insurance company will look for proof that the accident caused your injuries. If you wait two weeks to see a doctor, the insurance company will argue that you were not really hurt in the crash. They might say you got hurt somewhere else, like at work or at home.
When you go to the doctor immediately, you create a medical record. This is an official paper trail that links your injury directly to the car accident. This evidence makes it much harder for the insurance company to deny your claim.
The Problem with “Gaps in Treatment”
A “gap in treatment” is when you see a doctor once but then stop going, or if you wait too long between appointments. Insurance adjusters look for these gaps. They use them to say, “If they were really in pain, they would have gone to the doctor.”
To protect your rights, you must follow your doctor’s orders. If they tell you to go to physical therapy, you should go. If they refer you to a specialist, make the appointment.
How and Where to Get Medical Help
Here is where you can get medical care after being in a car accident:
- Emergency Room (ER): If you have severe pain, trouble breathing, broken bones, or hit your head, go to the ER immediately. Call 911 if you cannot drive yourself.
- Urgent Care: If your injuries are not life-threatening but you are in pain, an urgent care center is a good option. They can take X-rays and check for common crash injuries.
- Primary Care Doctor: You can see your regular doctor, but try to do it as soon as possible. Some regular doctors do not treat car accident injuries, so call ahead to check.
Paying for Medical Care
Your priority after an accident is your health, not the cost of medical care. Do not let concerns about payment stop you from getting the treatment you need. Unintended medical bills can be a financial burden, which is why you should take the right steps.
Many car insurance policies include coverage that pays for these initial visits. Hiring a lawyer can help you get medical liens, negotiate treatment costs, and secure the compensation needed to pay for all these bills.
Keeping Track of Your Injuries
Once you start seeing doctors, you need to be organized. This helps your lawyer fight for you later. Here are the best practices for documenting injuries after a car accident:
- Keep Every Paper: Save every receipt, discharge paper, prescription note, and bill. Put them all in one folder.
- Take Photos: If you have bruises, cuts, or swelling, take clear pictures of them. Take new pictures as they heal or change.
- Write a Journal: Every day, write down how you feel. Rate your pain from 1 to 10. Write down things you cannot do anymore, like picking up your kids, going to work, doing chores, and more. This shows how the accident changed your life.
- Be Honest: Tell your doctor about every pain, even the small ones. If you don’t tell them, it won’t be in your records.
How a Lawyer Helps You
Navigating insurance claims, medical bills, and legal rules is very confusing. It is even harder when you are in pain. A personal injury attorney handles the hard work for you. They talk to the insurance companies, so you don’t have to. They look at your medical records and use them to prove that you deserve fair payment.
At DM Injury Law, we understand that you are going through a difficult time. You might be worried about how you will pay your bills or if you will ever feel normal again. We are here to help you.
Our team has won over $1 billion for our clients. We know how to handle serious injury cases that require hospital visits. We have a team of attorneys and support staff who will handle every part of your case, so you can focus on getting better.
We believe that everyone deserves justice, no matter how much money they have. That is why we offer free consultations. You can talk to us for free to see if we can help. Plus, there is no fee unless we win your case. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
If you have been hurt, do not wait. Your health and your future are too important. Contact us online today or call us at 816-888-7500 for your free consultation.
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