Do I Need To See a Doctor After an Accident if I Don’t Feel Injured?
Should you see a Doctor after a car crash? We don’t think about it much, but climbing behind the wheel of a vehicle is widely considered the most dangerous thing we do in our daily lives. Tens of thousands of people die in car accidents across the United States each year. Millions more suffer serious, debilitating and potentially life-altering injuries.
In view of these sobering statistics, you might consider yourself incredibly fortunate to have been in a wreck without any visible injuries. You may even feel inclined to refuse medical care altogether, but an accident is no time to act tough.
Instead, take it from the experienced car crash attorneys at Haney Paschal & Romoser. Whether you think you’ve been hurt or not, a quick trip to the hospital is the right move to protect your health and preserve your legal rights.
Feeling Fine? Don’t Be Duped by Adrenaline
As anyone who’s been in one knows all too well, even seemingly minor fender benders can be deceptively violent. A low-speed collision may not total your car or send you to the trauma center, but it can easily jolt your body with enough force to cause considerable damage. Still, you would certainly be able to tell if you’ve been hurt in a crash — wouldn’t you?
Not necessarily. Faced with the sudden and overwhelming stress of an accident, the body activates its deepest and most primal survival mechanisms to protect itself. Foremost among these is the acute stress response, although most people know it by a more familiar name.
How Fight-or-Flight Hides Pain and Injuries
Fight-or-flight. Hyperarousal. Acute stress response. Whatever you choose to call it, this reaction is your body’s way of preparing to deal with perceived threats and dangerous situations. It happens involuntarily and instantaneously, flooding your central nervous system with a surge of adrenaline, cortisol and other stress hormones.
This potent cocktail triggers a cascade of physiological changes in your body. Your blood pressure and heart rate increase. You start breathing deeper and more rapidly. Your immune and digestive systems go idle, freeing up energy so your brain and muscles can shift into overdrive. Most importantly, waves of endorphins temporarily numb sensations of pain and suppress or soften negative emotions.
These effects are fantastically helpful, but you don’t have to squint too hard to see the possible downsides. If your body can’t effectively transmit pain signals, it has no way of alerting you to injuries you might’ve suffered. Likewise, while endorphins may boost your mood and keep you calm, they also cloud your thinking and get in the way of making rational decisions.
The Invisible Dangers of Hidden Car Crash Injuries
Given how brutal traffic accidents can be, you might assume any injuries you sustain would be impossible to ignore. But, as any car collision lawyer worth their salt can tell you, that’s not always the case. To further complicate the pain-masking effects of adrenaline, certain injuries may not produce obvious signs or symptoms right away.
It’s for precisely this reason that first responders and car wreck attorneys alike are so insistent about seeking treatment following an accident, even if you believe you’re totally unharmed. These “hidden” injuries are more common than you might think, and many are worryingly easy to overlook in the moment without a proper medical evaluation.
For example:
- Whiplash and other neck injuries
- Spine and nervous system damage
- Concussions and traumatic brain injuiries
- Internal bleeding and tissue damage
- Hairline fractures and microtears
In some instances, the true severity of these injuries may only become apparent hours, days or even weeks later. This is especially true of strains, bruises and other soft-tissue injuries, which tend to worsen over time as inflammation and swelling set in.
Car Wrecks and Mental Health: Are You Really Okay?
Not all damage from auto accidents is physical in nature. A car crash can be intensely traumatic, and it’s not surprising that many survivors suffer lingering emotional and psychological effects. Anxiety and panic disorders are common. So, too, are flashbacks, sleep disruptions, fear and avoidance of driving and other PTSD-related symptoms.
Like physical symptoms, these psychological issues often take time to manifest. Accidents can produce a jumble of emotions, and you might feel oddly calm, dismissive, excited or even giddy in the immediate aftermath. But once the initial rush wears off, your mental health may well take a major hit.
If you’re feeling anxious, fearful, distracted or just plain off after a collision, you don’t have to deal with it alone. Open up and get the help you need.
Take Care of Your Health — and Your Legal Rights
Confusion. Shock. Adrenaline. Hidden injuries. When you put it all together, it’s clear to see why getting yourself checked out after a crash is always the right decision.
As fit as you might feel in the moment, you just can’t afford to trust what your brain and body are telling you. In fact, going to the doctor isn’t just a sensible precaution. It’s one of the most crucial steps you can take to protect yourself physically and safeguard your financial future.
Early Intervention Improves Recovery
From herniated discs and damaged nerves to concussions and internal bleeding, collision-related injuries don’t always cause immediate symptoms. By the time you realize that you’ve been hurt, it may already be too late to prevent complications. It’s a serious risk, and it’s one you can easily avoid with a simple medical exam.
Not only does this ensure any injuries you may have sustained are properly diagnosed, but it allows you to begin treatment as quickly as possible. This often leads to milder symptoms, fewer long-term issues and a faster, fuller recovery.
Laying the Groundwork for Legal Action
Between medical bills, lost earnings and other costs, a car crash can put a huge strain on your personal finances. Why should you be forced to bear the burden if the accident wasn’t your fault? Sadly, it can be an uphill battle to get the compensation you deserve, especially if you don’t show obvious signs of trauma.
One way to tip the scales in your favor is to bolster your claim with comprehensive medical records. By seeing a doctor right away, you can begin building a paper trail detailing the nature of your injuries and clearly linking them to your accident. In the hands of a skilled car collision attorney, this evidence can form the basis of a winning personal injury case.
Think you’re not hurt badly enough to warrant a lawsuit? Don’t be so sure. Minor injuries can lead to unexpected complications down the road, and failing to seek timely medical attention could make recovering future damages nearly impossible.
When and Where To Seek Medical Care
No one likes going to the doctor or sitting around in a hospital waiting room, especially if it doesn’t seem warranted. Still, taking proper precautions after a wreck is critical, so where should you go to get treated? There are several options to consider depending on the situation and the type of care you need.
Emergency Room
If you’ve been in a serious accident, you may initially be treated by first responders at the scene. Paramedics and EMTs are trained to identify signs of injury you may not notice yourself, so it’s essential to follow their advice. If they suggest a trip to the emergency room, listen.
Otherwise, if you don’t think you’re seriously hurt, you probably don’t need to visit the hospital. You’ll receive the very highest level of care there, but you can also expect to pay more and wait longer before being seen.
However, you should head to the emergency room right away if you experience any of the following:
- Loss of consciousness
- Heavy, uncontrolled bleeding
- Confusion or memory loss
- Severe nausea or vomiting
- Chest pain or tightness
- Seizures
Urgent Care
After an accident, many people find themselves in something of a catch-22. The emergency room may seem like overkill for non-life-threatening injuries, but it isn’t always possible to see a doctor on short notice. In addition, most private practices simply aren’t equipped to perform a truly comprehensive post-crash evaluation.
That’s where urgent care centers come in. Urgent care fills the gap between hospitals and physicians, providing timely walk-in medical care without the hassle or sky-high cost of an ER visit. These facilities can treat a wide range of common car accident injuries, and most offer lab testing, X-rays and other diagnostic services.
Primary Physician
From friends and family to insurance agents and car accident lawyers, you’ll likely have plenty of calls to make following a crash. Regardless of whether you’ve already been treated elsewhere, make sure your primary care physician is near the top of the list.
Think of your doctor as your personal healthcare coach. They know your entire medical history, which means they’re ideally positioned to monitor your progress, coordinating follow-up care and help you make key treatment decisions. What’s more, your primary care physician is responsible for managing your medical records, which may be important if you need to take legal action.
Because of the potential complications surrounding auto accidents, however, some physicians may refuse to provide treatment. If you’re having trouble getting an appointment, contact your local car wreck lawyer to find a doctor who can help.
Post-Crash Warning Signs You Need To Know
While it’s not unusual to feel a bit stiff or sore for a few days after a collision, some issues can’t be so easily dismissed. It’s best to notify your doctor about any symptoms that concern you, but be sure to seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Intense pain, stiffness or loss of mobility
- Severe headaches, confusion or light sensitivity
- Chest pain or shortness of breath
- Pronounced swelling or bruising
- Changes in vision, hearing or speech
- Extreme fatigue, dizziness, nausea or vomiting
- Numbness, tingling or weakness in your extremities
How an Experienced Car Accident Attorney Can Help
The aftermath of a car wreck can be almost as scary and disorienting as the collision itself, leaving you with all sorts of questions and very few answers. Getting assessed by a doctor is a good start, but what comes after that?
Can you seek compensation to cover medical bills and other expenses? What should you say to your insurance company? Are there additional steps you need to take? It’s a lot to process, which is why it’s so important to have an experienced professional on your side.
Contrary to popular belief, attorneys aren’t just for filing lawsuits. A good car crash lawyer can provide a wide range of services to help you through each phase of the recovery process.
Reviewing Your Legal Options
Not sure where to start? A reputable car accident lawyer can evaluate your case for free and answer any questions you may have. After hearing the facts and reviewing the available evidence, they’ll walk you through your legal options and help you determine whether you have a valid claim.
Communicating With Third Parties
Saying the wrong thing in the wake of a wreck could come back to bite you, so it’s best to say nothing at all. Instead, let your lawyer communicate directly with insurers, opposing attorneys and other parties on your behalf. This greatly alleviates stress, avoids miscommunications and prevents costly slips of the tongue.
Preparing and Filing a Claim
Building a personal injury case takes a tremendous amount of work, requiring extensive experience and high-level expertise. From collecting and preserving key evidence to carefully assessing and documenting all related damages, every detail needs to be airtight. Skilled lawyers leave no stone unturned, using all available resources to present the strongest possible claim.
Handling Hearings and Negotiations
Whether your case results in a settlement and ends up in court, you can rest assured your attorney will fight doggedly for your rights and interests. They’ll represent you in hearings, file legal motions, present evidence in court and negotiate settlement offers on your behalf, ensuring you have every opportunity to receive maximum compensation.
Call the Personal Injury Pros at Haney Paschal & Romoser
If you were involved in a car wreck, don’t leave anything to chance. Contact Haney Paschal & Romoser for attentive and compassionate legal services in Huntsville, TX and surrounding communities. Our lead car accident attorneys personally handle every case from start to finish, so schedule a free consultation today and put our expertise to work for you.