Why Is It Important to Get Medical Attention Immediately After a Car Accident?

If you’ve been seriously injured in a car accident, it’s a given that emergency services will arrive on the scene, render medical care, and likely transport you to the nearest hospital. But, what if you are in a relatively minor accident, after which you have no noticeable pain or discomfort? In these cases, there’s a good chance you’ve still suffered some injuries, and there are several reasons why you should seek immediate medical treatment after a car accident. 

What It Means to Suffer Delayed or Hidden Injuries

Often, people involved in car accidents aren’t even aware that they’re injured. One of the reasons for this is that your body produces endorphins in response to the stress of an accident. And these endorphins, which are morphine-like hormones, act to mask discomfort and pain until they wear off. So, you might feel as if you’re ok immediately following an accident, but your body is giving you false signals. 

Even in low impact crashes, there are several injuries that are commonly hidden or delayed, meaning you may not notice them immediately. These include:

• Whiplash
• Concussion
• Lacerations
• Shoulder injuries
• Knee injuries
• Internal injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Broken bones

In the case of concussion and whiplash injuries, you may not experience symptoms for hours or even days after the crash. This is because they are not external injuries and you may be unfamiliar with the symptoms or the dangers of ignoring them. 

Why You Should Seek Immediate Medical Care After a Car Accident

Car accidents can be emotionally and physically traumatic. When you’ve been in a crash, your body and mind may produce a “fight or flight” response, masking the physical pain that would otherwise be present. So, when you calm down hours are days later, you begin to notice the symptoms of injuries you weren’t aware you had suffered. 

Delaying treatment for injuries can be detrimental to both your health and financial recovery. You deserve to live a happy and healthy life. And the party responsible for your accident should also be held responsible for the harm they have caused. Here are just three reasons why you should seek immediate medical care after a car accident. 

1. It’s Vital for Your Long-Term Health

Above all else, you need to seek medical treatment right away after an accident for your overall health and wellbeing. Even if you don’t believe you’ve been hurt or are trying to “tough it out,” you should be seen by a doctor anyway. The longer you wait to seek appropriate care, the more serious a latent injury can get. 

Car accidents can also be incredibly traumatic events. When left unaddressed, the emotional stress from a crash can become overwhelming and lead to problems like insomnia, anxiety, and PTSD. A medical professional can give you peace of mind and recommend the care you need following an accident so that you can reclaim your life. 

2. It Can Prevent the Denial of Your Claim

Insurance companies don’t always play fair, so it’s vital that you establish a paper trail immeidately following a car accident. If another party was to blame for your accident, their insurance company should take care of things like your medical bills and lost wages. But they might try to deny your claim if you haven’t gone to the doctor and documented your injuries. 

Insurance companies often want to settle car accident cases quickly and for as little money as possible. They will try to claim that you weren’t injured or that your injuries weren’t serious. If you delay going to the doctor after the crash, they can use this information to their advantage and even try to deny your claim. 

3. It Establishes Evidence for a Potential Lawsuit

The longer you wait to get medical treatment, the harder it’s going to be to establish a link between the accident and your injuries. Medical records provide the documentation you need should you have to escalate your claim to a personal injury lawsuit to collect the full damages you deserve. 

When you see a medical provider immediately after the accident, they will run tests and establish a preliminary diagnosis. You may also be referred to specialists and will receive ongoing treatment until your condition stabilizes. All of the medical records will be used as proof to strengthen your case. 

How a Mississippi Car Accident Attorney Can Help

If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Mississippi due to another party’s negligence, you have the right to pursue full and fair compensation from the responsible parties. Getting immediate medical care is an important first step in creating a strong case for personal injury. To learn more about working with an experienced Mississippi car accident attorney, send us a message with details about your case.