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A car crash is scary and stressful, and you may not know if you are injured until hours or days later when the adrenaline rush and shock fades. That’s why if you have been in a car accident, you should see a doctor as soon as possible for evaluation and treatment options.
Your medical record will prove vital if there is ever a question of whether your injuries were caused by the crash, especially if you are filing for compensation from another driver’s insurance company or seeking legal action against them in court.
What Injuries May Show Up After a Car Accident
Even if you have experienced a minor car accident, your body has generated adrenaline to compensate for the intensity and agony of any injuries. Injuries such as soft tissue injuries and concussions may take time to become evident after a car accident.
Soft Tissue Injuries
A soft tissue injury can occur anywhere on your body, particularly to your tendons, muscles, and ligaments. Some common soft tissue injuries include:
- Whiplash – A whiplash injury happens when the neck experiences sudden back-and-forth movement in a car accident. Symptoms of whiplash include neck pain, stiffness in the neck, and a restricted range of motion while moving your head around.
- Contusions – Contusions can happen in various places on your body. You might get them after the airbag hits you, when crashing into a steering wheel, or if an automobile door hits any place on your body.
- Herniated discs – Your spine’s disks serve as cushions between your vertebrae or the small bones in your spine. The force of a car crash can cause discs to slip out of position and the vertebrae to rub against each other, causing pain and numbness down the spine and in the legs.
- Sprains and strains – Sprains and strains are common injuries that happen when joints overextend, such as when being thrown around in an auto collision. This causes the ligaments to stretch or tear, resulting in significant pain.
- Pinched or compressed nerves – A pinched nerve is a condition where surrounding tissues compress the nerves, causing pain and numbness throughout your body.
Concussions
A violent jolt to your skull in a car accident can severely injure your brain, causing you to suffer a concussion. You might not realize you have a concussion when the symptoms don’t appear right away. Some symptoms can be obvious, such as disorientation, but there are other symptoms that are more subtle and are often mistakenly attributed to something else, such as:
- Headache
- Nausea
- Trouble with balance and coordination
- Fatigue or drowsiness that doesn’t improve
If you are involved in an accident, even when there is no visible injury, it is advisable to see a doctor for a full body check-up. Having a legitimate record of your injuries can help support claims for compensation if you become unable to work or require extensive medical treatment later.
How Soon After a Car Accident Should You See a Doctor?
If you’ve been in a car accident, seek medical attention as soon as possible to determine if any serious injuries have occurred. Consult with a medical professional about the potential signs of concussion and follow your doctor’s instructions after suffering soft tissue injury.
While it is important to get medical attention as soon as possible for your own well-being, doing so also helps solidify your case if you decide to take legal action. A personal injury case requires documentation of your injuries and proof that the accident caused them. If you were involved in a car accident, and there’s evidence that another driver was negligent, they may be held liable for your damages, but only if you can prove the damages came from the accident and didn’t happen later.
It is best to seek medical attention within 72 hours following an auto accident; otherwise, your claim could be reduced or denied altogether because it will be harder to link your injuries to the accident. Urgent care clinics and emergency departments can provide quality medical attention to you even if your primary doctor is unavailable. They may cost more than a visit to your physician, but you can submit your medical bill to the insurance company for reimbursement.
Your Car Crash Attorney in Syracuse, NY
A car accident can be costly, both financially and physically, and minor injuries can become debilitating if they persist. Regardless of the severity of your injuries, seek legal counsel if your accident is the result of another driver’s negligence so you can protect your rights.
With the help of our Syracuse car accident attorneys, you can focus on your recovery instead of medical bills and negotiations with insurance company adjusters. We can help you get fair compensation for any injuries sustained after your car accident. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your case.
