Should I see a doctor after a car accident even if I don’t feel hurt?

Ambulance speeding to take a victim to a doctor after a car accident

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Should I see a doctor after a car accident
even if I don’t feel hurt?

Home » FAQ » Should I see a doctor after a car accident even if I don’t feel hurt?

Car accidents are terrifying situations that can result in extreme injuries. However, some of the worst injuries don’t present at the time of the accident.


Injuries such as traumatic brain injuries and whiplash can take hours or days to appear. These injuries can affect your way of life for years to come, preventing you from going back to your normal life.


An experienced car accident attorney knows how even a minor car accident can lead to life-changing impairments. If you’ve been involved in a car accident, you should always seek immediate medical attention. Not only does it prevent you from worsening injuries you may not know you have, but it can also protect your right to compensation for the accident.

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Should I see a doctor after a car accident even if I don’t feel hurt?


Once you have finished at the police release you from the scene of the accident, your first stop should always be the doctor. It’s up to you whether you visit the emergency room or your family doctor.


It’s very common to miss an injury after a car accident. With all the adrenaline in your body, you may not feel the pain of broken ribs, a head injury, or a soft tissue injury. Since you can’t see them, you may think you’re fine to go home.


However, the longer you wait to treat these injuries, the worse they can become.

Letting injuries like whiplash or a traumatic brain injury linger will mean exacerbating the injury. If you don’t know to care for those areas and follow proper protocols, you risk making the injury more serious.


Seeking medical attention is also vital for recovering damages after a car accident. You may ultimately be correct in your assessment of any injuries, but having a doctor’s diagnosis is the key to filing a claim for personal injury damages.


Hidden Injuries After a Car Accident


Not all injuries are as apparent as a cut. In fact, most injuries from car accidents are hidden injuries that can linger when untreated.


Muscular and spinal injuries commonly have symptoms that will not appear for days after the accident, as the adrenaline fades and the impact has time to take hold. You could accidentally aggravate the injury without even knowing it.


Be on high alert for the following hidden injuries:


Traumatic brain injuries, such as concussions. 


Traumatic brain injuries often follow a loss of consciousness. Look for altered thought patterns, difficulty focusing and retaining information, lack of coordination, nausea, and light sensitivity.


Internal bleeding. 


Internal bleeding can ultimately lead to death if not taken care of. Your doctor can diagnose this.


Whiplash. 


Whiplash is one of the most common injuries after a car accident. It is characterized by tightness and pain around the neck and shoulders. It may take a few days for the swelling, bruising, and pain to appear. 


Soft tissue injuries. 


Soft tissue injuries such as sprains or strained muscles are slow to appear. Like a bruise, these injuries don’t show up immediately. They take time to settle in. Be wary of any parts of your body that were impacted or twisted during the accident until a doctor clears you.


Anxiety. 


Mental injuries are just as significant as physical ones. Anxiety often takes a month to appear after an accident. It commonly shows up as PTSD or a fear of driving. If you suffer from these symptoms, call an experienced car accident attorney for assistance. 



Common Injuries After a Car Accident


Car accidents cause a lot of damage, both to property and people. If you’re injured in an auto accident, you will need to speak with an experienced auto attorney to collect compensation for your losses.


If you have experienced any of the following common injuries after a car accident, you may be eligible to recover damages:


  • Whiplash
  • Lacerations 
  • Fractures
  • Bruises
  • Head injuries
  • Broken ribs
  • Internal bleeding
  • Spinal injury
  • PTSD or anxiety
  • Soft tissue injuries, such as sprains and strains
  • Burns
  • Scarring or amputation
  • Neck injuries


Collecting Damages


Getting cleared by a doctor is important for your health and the validity of your lawsuit. To collect damages for personal injury, you will require a doctor’s diagnosis and formal medical bills. 


Evidence that you have been following treatment, such as filling prescriptions and attendance at rehabilitation programs, will strengthen your case and could increase your compensation.

After a car accident, you are entitled to collect three types of damages, depending on your circumstances. 


Economic damages are financial recompensation for any losses you suffered due to the accident. These include medical bills, rehabilitation, loss of wages due to recovery time or attending appointments, and any prescriptions.


Non-economic damages cover emotional losses that you suffered due to the accident, such as scarring or disfigurement, loss of quality of life, and any pain and suffering you endured as a result of your injuries. In the case of hidden injuries, pain and disfigurement can often be applied.


In some cases, you may be eligible for punitive damages. This is a form of punishment for the at-fault driver if they are found to be severely negligent.



Contact a Car Accident Attorney Immediately


If you have been injured in a car accident, contact a Florida car accident attorney. We put our clients’ needs first. For decades, we have been protecting the rights of citizens like you who have been injured by negligent drivers. We have taken on large insurance companies without backing down.


Call today to schedule your free consultation with one of our experienced team members.

If you’ve been injured in an accident, it is imperative that you surround yourself with the best legal care as soon as possible.

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