Five Tips To Avoiding Lasting Injury After an Auto Accident
In the case of many motor vehicle accidents, you may not need to go to the hospital right away. However, it’s essential to know that you may not have escaped unscathed. It’s common for some symptoms to not be apparent immediately. Instead, you may find that soft tissue, spinal, and head injuries may take time to present symptoms. It’s even possible for these injuries to exist and “heal” without presenting symptoms at all. This is why it’s essential that you be seen by a medical professional following any car accident.
Five Tips To Avoiding Lasting Injury After an Auto Accident
It’s an unfortunate truth that many auto accidents don’t show their consequences for years to come. The injuries you sustain may be subtle in nature, taking time to begin presenting symptoms. Cervical (neck) and spinal misalignments, in particular, may only appear as a stiff back or sore muscles. These four tips can help you manage the aftermath of an automotive accident without letting injuries slip beneath the radar.
- Seek Care Immediately – Even if you aren’t transported to the hospital, you need to be seen by a professional. It’s common for victims of auto accidents to shrug off fatigue, headaches, and muscle aches as ‘minor’ and not needing attention. These can all indicate whiplash, spinal injuries, or soft tissue injuries. In some cases, more severe symptoms may take weeks to manifest.
- See Your PCP or Urgent Care First – If you weren’t transported directly to the hospital, then get seen as soon as possible. Urgent Care the next day is your best bet, with a follow-up with your PCP. This will ensure that you’ve been inspected for ligament damage, internal bleeding, tissue damage, and injuries only visible under imaging. CT Scans and X-rays can reveal injuries invisible to a surface inspection.
- Speak Honestly With Your Provider – When you get to your appointment, be honest and thorough with your report. You need to share the symptoms you’re experiencing, when they began, the details of your auto accident, and how severe your symptoms are. If they’re not your PCP, be sure to provide a thorough medical history.
- Be Inquisitive – It pays to ask questions. When you see your doctor, remember that your health and safety are the main concern. Advocate by yourself by expressing doubts, pressing your concerns, and getting a thorough explanation of your treatment plan. There’s no better medicine than being an engaged patient.
Following these four tips will ensure that you get the care you need following your accident. Further, this information will be used to determine the benefits you receive from any insurance coverage. It’s important not to let something slip beneath the radar while it’s still early enough to report it on your claim. Be certain that your physician properly documents the treatment plan and injuries for any potential lawsuit.
Don’t Wait For Your Injuries To Make Themselves Known
Auto accidents happen every day, but they’re no small matter. Getting examined by a trained physician is the only way to be certain your injuries are treated, and you don’t have lasting complications. Don’t wait!
