You should see a doctor after a car crash. It doesn’t matter how severe the wreck or how obvious your injuries; it’s crucial that you go to urgent care or the ER directly from the scene of the accident and have doctors perform a physical examination. Even if you don’t think you’re injured, there may be more to the crash than you realize.
The stress and trauma of a car crash can trigger an adrenaline rush and a “flight or fight” response. Not only does this make it difficult to focus and stay calm, but it can numb you to the full extent of your injuries. Even if you don’t immediately see blood or feel pain, you may have suffered injuries that aren’t yet apparent. These are called “latent injuries.”
Going to the doctor directly from the crash site gives you the best chance of identifying and treating latent injuries before they get any worse. If you can catch a hairline fracture early, your doctor can put it in a cast to stabilize it and start the healing process.
Perhaps most important is identifying early signs of organ damage or internal bleeding, which can quickly snowball into greater problems if not treated promptly.
When seeking damages, it’s crucial that you have documentation for the full extent of your injuries and that you’re able to link those injuries to the car crash that caused them. The combination of a police report and a medical report excel at doing exactly that, demonstrating that you were involved in a car crash and that you sought medical attention immediately after.
If you wait more than a day or two to see a doctor, the insurance company may question the severity of your injuries. They can use that as justification for a lower settlement offer, even if you experienced latent injuries that didn’t present symptoms until days after the crash. For that reason, it’s best to err on the side of caution and see a doctor as soon as you possibly can.
If you or someone you love suffered serious injuries in a car crash, you might have a case. If you’d like to discuss your case with an experienced Virginia car accident attorney from Portner & Shure, P.A., don’t hesitate to call (410) 995-1515 or send us an email.
Related reading: what to do after a car accident in Maryland
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