Why You Should Always See a Doctor After a Car Accident
There are a variety of ways in which your lack of symptoms can fool you into thinking you are okay after a car accident.
If you talk to just about any car accident attorney, they will recommend that you see a doctor after a collision no matter how healthy you may feel. The primary reason is that you could have an injury and not know about it. Delaying treatment can not only hurt your potential compensation, it can also result in severe health concerns down the road. Here’s why you should see a doctor regardless of your symptoms.
Adrenaline
If you ever experience a car accident, you will likely feel shocked and hyper once it is over. The reason for these feelings is your fight-or-flight response, which causes adrenaline to surge through your body. The most apparent effects of this chemical are raised heart rate, heightened senses, and expanding lungs, but there is a lesser consequence that you need to worry about: High pain tolerance. The result of this effect is that the adrenaline may mask your pain at the scene of the accident, but you will suffer later on.
Slowly Developing Injuries
Some types of damages don’t take hold right away. Instead, they take hours, days, or even weeks to start affecting you. Unfortunately, waiting that long can sometimes be too late. Some typical examples of these issues include headaches, back pain, numbness, and traumatic brain injuries. Each of them has their own set of dangers, so early diagnosis is crucial.
Non-Visible Damage
Some forms of damage are not as apparent as injuries like lacerations and bone breaks. Instead, they hurt you in ways that you cannot quickly detect. A few examples of these injuries are whiplash, herniated discs, and internal bleeding. The truth about humans is that we are visual creatures. If you cannot see your damage, you may discount it and pay for that decision later on.
Pre-Existing Conditions
Car accident damage is very complicated for those with pre-existing conditions. An example would be you suffering from chronic back pain and then getting into a collision. After it is over, you might think that you are having a bad back day, rather than understanding that you sustained a new injury.
Your Personal Injury Case
If another party was at fault for your accident, you have an excellent shot at receiving compensation. One of the critical factors in doing so is understanding your medical situation and what it will look like going forward. If you do not see a doctor, you may make unwise decisions when attempting to obtain benefits.
Whether it’s adrenaline, slowly developing injuries, non-visible damage, or confusion caused by a pre-existing condition, there are a variety of ways in which your lack of symptoms can fool you. The best way to avoid these traps is by seeing a doctor post-collision, even if you think you are fine. Once you get an idea of what your health situation is, you and your St. Louis car accident attorney can discuss your compensation options.
