Medical Care After Car Accident

It’s the worst-case scenario. You’re driving, perhaps to work or to meet a friend. You’re moving along with the flow of traffic and watching when changing lanes. Because you’re being careful, an accident is the last thing on your mind – until all of a sudden. It happens. Another car comes colliding with your vehicle.

This happens every single day on California highways, and it can be jarring for anyone. But what you don’t know is that even if you’ve walked away from an auto accident feeling nothing more than a few aches and pains, you could have a personal injury that warrants attention.

It is imperative that you seek medical treatment immediately after a car accident. Failing to do so may lead to many consequences that may have a negative impact not only on your health but also on your finances. Here’s why you should always seek immediate medical attention after a car accident, even if you think you’re fine.

You May Not Feel the Pain Immediately, But It’s On the Verge

While some personal injuries hurt right away, others can take hours to days before showing up. Called delayed onset of pain, this phenomenon can occur for several reasons:

• Adrenaline temporarily masks the pain. Immediately after an accident, adrenaline is released from your brain to the rest of your body. It’s an automatic response to your body wanting to either fight what’s hurting you or flee the scene. 
• Swelling hasn’t reached its peak. Swelling often begins immediately upon impact on the injured area. However, swelling can continue for hours as your body works to protect the area by cushioning it. In some cases, it’s only after swelling has reached a certain level that you’ll begin to feel the associated pressure and pain.
• Emotional trauma can be delayed. Delayed onset post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD) can take days, weeks, or even months to show up. There are multiple reasons for this, but whatever the cause, your emotional state should also be assessed following a car collision.

The immediate pain can often be masked by the above reasons, and as a result, you may not feel the need for prompt medical attention. Yet, it is imperative that you go to an emergency room or at least visit your primary care physician. Your body may be suffering from hidden injuries.

Common Personal Injuries From Auto Accidents 

Greenleaf Law Group is skilled in getting clients the compensation they deserve after a Whittier personal injury accident. We have helped our clients overcome some of the most catastrophic accidents. Common personal injuries from such accidents include:

• Spine injuries. ANY impact on your spine warrants IMMEDIATE medical care. Spine injuries can be temporary or may require long-term care. 
• Head injuries. Common head injuries include a concussion (with or without loss of consciousness), fractures to the skull or facial bones, and internal bleeding. ANY impact on your head warrants IMMEDIATE medical care.
• Whiplash. This common injury happens because you have been stopped short, but your head stays in its position for a moment before whipping back and then forward again. This can happen multiple times before your car stops completely and results in over-extending the neck, causing misalignment and pain.
• Internal injuries. Internal bleeding may or may not have symptoms. You may have pain, and you may lose consciousness. It’s one of the least obvious of car accident injuries and can only be identified by a doctor.
• Broken bones. Any bone might be broken in a car accident. When fractures are not properly treated, they can lead to long-term or permanent disability.

Any of the above injuries are a possibility after a car crash. Therefore, always seek medical care. If left untreated, such serious injuries may be life-threatening. Your health should always take first priority over everything else.

If you are worried about the costs associated with your necessary medical care, have a car accident lawyer represent you. Our car accident attorneys will make sure to have the other party’s insurance company take responsibility. Fill out our online contact form now for your free consultation.

Correlation Between Medical Treatment and Your Personal Injury Claim

Seeking medical treatment as soon as possible after a car crash can only help you. Besides allowing your body to heal properly, visiting the hospital can also help strengthen your personal injury case. For example, by not going to the hospital immediately the liable party’s insurance company may argue that your injuries weren’t serious. Even if you begin suffering serious symptoms later on, the insurance company may not take it seriously.

Lack of medical records can hurt your case, which in turn can lower your potential settlement payout. Always seek medical care! Do not let an insurance company take advantage of your state. They will do everything to weaken your car accident claim, and they do not care about your financial well-being.

So What Should You Do?

Immediately after the accident:

• Call 911. Be clear and brief in your description. Make sure you tell the dispatcher you’ve been injured.
• WAIT for help. If you’re in a safe location, don’t walk around or get to a different location, even if you feel fine.
• Get to a hospital. If an ambulance hasn’t been called for you, call for a different method of transportation. DO NOT attempt to drive yourself to the hospital.
• Follow your doctor’s orders. Make sure you follow every order and take any medications exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not worry about the medical bills associated with your car accident. Know that you are in good hands, and keep your mind at ease while seeking medical treatment.
• Call Greenleaf Law Group. Your job right now is to rest and follow your doctor’s directions. Our job as your Whittier personal injury lawyer is to gather the evidence needed to make your case.

Remember: Your well-being and health always come first. That applies not just now but in the future when you might need follow-up care. Make sure you get all documentation of your accident and medical records, and that you keep copies of the prescriptions your doctor gives you. This way you’ll heal as quickly as possible so you can get back to your normal activities.