Getting into an accident isn’t something you want to experience, but we’re all likely to get into at least one car accident in our lifetime. Sometimes, those accidents are serious and it is obvious that you need to go to the hospital or schedule an appointment with your doctor. In other cases, the accident is minor and you feel just fine walking away from the scene.
Although you may not be able to see or feel any obvious effects of the crash directly after the accident, you should still schedule an appointment with your doctor.
Not All Injuries Are Obvious
The biggest reason to schedule an appointment with your doctor after an accident, even if you don’t have any lacerations or broken bones is the fact that not all injuries are immediately obvious.
A few common car accident injuries that aren’t going to be obvious include:
- Whiplash
- Brain injury
- Broken ribs
- Internal bleeding
- Herniated disk
Getting into an accident can take a toll on your mental health too, especially if you’re the one who caused the accident. Meeting with your doctor right away gives you a chance to talk about your physical symptoms as well as your mental symptoms. That way, they can refer you to a mental health professional who can help you overcome the feelings you have about your accident.
You Could Make Your Condition Worse
You expect to be a little sore after getting into a car accident, but that temporary pain can turn into chronic pain, which can be harder to treat. For example, if you injure your back in an accident, it can affect nearly every area of your body as it tries to compensate for the injury. That could result in more time with a physical therapist than you would have needed if you got medical care right away.
It’s also possible that you sustained a very serious injury without knowing it. For example, internal bleeding can be deadly without immediate medical care. It’s always a good idea to see a doctor right away.
Doctors Can Properly Document Your Injuries
It is extremely important to allow your doctor to document your injuries properly. First, it can help if you’re working with an attorney on a personal injury settlement. The more information there is about your condition, the better your chances are of getting the money you deserve
It’s also important to document your injuries so they can be added to your medical history. Even minor injuries can affect your overall health for many years to come. With the proper documentation of your injuries, doctors will be able to connect future maladies with a past injury from a car accident.
Delaying Treatment Could Impact a Personal Injury Settlement
Making a car accident claim and seeking compensation is hard enough already. Don’t make it harder to get the money you deserve by holding off on seeing the doctor.
If you are working with an attorney, it can be very helpful to have adequate medical records. What is in those medical records is important too.
Showing that you sought medical attention right away looks good in your case because it demonstrates that your injuries were severe enough to receive attention. If instead, you decide to wait to get medical care, you may unknowingly demonstrate that your injuries aren’t all that bad. It’s also possible that the court will think you’re faking your injuries by getting care later, and they could dispute your case, and you won’t get any money at all.
Peace of Mind
You don’t have to have an anxiety disorder to worry about your health, but that worry can be thrown into overdrive if you have been in an accident. Whether it’s because you’re busy or you worry that you don’t have the money to receive medical care, you may decide not to visit the doctor, but then you’ll just stew about whether you’re really okay or not.
Do yourself a favor and at least visit your local walk-in clinic. They can perform a full-body exam and they may even order a few X-rays. It may take a little time and cost a little bit of money, but at least you’ll have a better idea of your health after your accident, which can bring you peace of mind.
Even if you prefer to shake off your injuries, you should still schedule an appointment with a doctor after a car accident to make sure the months after your accident go smoothly.
