Knowing when to see a doctor after a car accident is not always easy. Sometimes your pain tolerance is high, or you have a tendency to dismiss your injuries as less severe than they really are. Perhaps your symptoms were mild at first but have worsened in the days since your accident. It is also possible that you are worried about making too big of a deal out of your injuries in case they end up being minimal.
Regardless of the reason you may question your need for medical attention, the answer is always to err on the side of caution.
Auto Accident Injury Treatment – When to Get Help
It may seem like a simple process to determine if you’re injured after an accident, but that is often not the experience of many Georgia crash victims. Feeling slightly banged up after a collision is to be expected, so it can be much more complicated to tell if emergency medical treatment is actually necessary.
The truth is that many people put off visiting a doctor, and there are numerous reasons for this delay. However, getting medical attention after an accident is crucial because it’s impossible to tell the severity of your injuries without the proper tests and examinations, including:
- X-rays
- CT scans
- MRI scans
- Blood tests
- Ultrasounds
Car accidents often cause headaches, bruising, cuts, and neck pain, but even if you have no symptoms, you should have a doctor examine you.
Why Should You Receive Treatment for Your Car Accident Injuries?
In addition to the implications for your health, skipping medical treatment could also have negative effects on your accident claim. Insurance companies will need to know the extent of your injuries in order to address your claim. Progressive, for example, has an insurance adjuster contact drivers within three days of an accident to discuss property damage and personal injury. This is one of the reasons it is a general rule of thumb that anyone injured in a car accident should seek medical attention within 72 hours of the collision.
Some symptoms of injuries may not appear immediately after the accident. Concussion symptoms may not be evident for hours or days after a crash. Whiplash, another common accident injury, may take days to develop the trademark stiffness, pain, and loss of movement in the neck.
If paramedics are on the scene of an accident, they can perform a preliminary evaluation to determine if emergency services are needed. It is a good idea to have paramedics examine you on the scene, especially if you are unsure about the severity of your injuries.
Your accident claim relies on an accurate picture of the damage caused by the crash. Without medical treatment, you may not realize the full extent of your injuries or the costs involved with recovery. Insurance companies notoriously offer low settlement amounts to accident victims, and you cannot rely on them to prioritize your well-being over their bottom line. This is why it’s important that you don’t limit your own recovery by presenting a partial picture of your injuries. When you receive the appropriate medical attention, you better understand your injuries and can determine if a settlement offer aligns with your recovery needs.
Relentless Legal Representation in Atlanta, GA
If you still have questions about when to see a doctor after a car accident or need guidance on an accident claim, contact Flanagan Law to schedule a free consultation. Our experienced accident attorneys are here to help you navigate the aftermath of your car accident in any way we can.
