Car accidents can be traumatizing, even when the accident is just a minor fender bender. Our bodies aren't used to being put through that kind of physical stress on a day-to-day basis. Because of this extreme stress, it's sometimes difficult to tell when you've suffered an injury from the accident or when your body is just experiencing stress. This is especially true if you're the type of person who puts off visits to the doctor for as long as possible, hoping your issue will work itself out. Even if this is your usual inclination, you shouldn't do that after a car accident. Here's why.
Symptoms May Be Delayed or Masked
A major reason you should see a doctor immediately after any car accident is that, because of the shock your body is going through, some symptoms may be delayed in manifesting. That means you may not realize you're injured because your body is going through the process of physical shock. You're experiencing a rush of adrenaline and endorphins, a process that commonly overshadows the development of other symptoms and can mask physical pain. Any delay in seeing a medical professional can be detrimental to your health since they can assess your wellness.
Injuries Can Worsen
If you're injured and have experienced any neck or back pain from your accident, any delay in getting treatment may cause further injury. This is especially true if your job requires heavy physical labor and you immediately resume work after the accident. Sometimes severe injury doesn't manifest right away. It's not uncommon for an accident victim to break a bone and not even notice the pain until days later.
Delays Can Cause Problems with Insurance
If you're relying on insurance to pay for medical help after an accident, any delays in getting treatment may come into question by the insurance company. They may claim that, because of the passage of time, there's no way to know if your delayed treatment is for an injury related to the accident or something unrelated. They may even claim that you're trying to treat pain that has always existed.
You Need to Develop a Paper Trail
If you need to get a personal injury attorney involved in your accident case, it's vital to have all of your expenses and injuries well documented in relation to the accident so that your attorney can effectively fight for your cause with all the tools available.
Sadly, many people are injured due to someone else's negligence. Maybe you were in a car accident that was the other driver's fault, and now you're dealing with relentless back pain. Or perhaps your neighbor's dog bit you, and you're considering suing them. Both of these scenarios fall under the legal umbrella of personal injury law.
Since proving someone else is responsible for your injuries can be challenging, the world of personal injury law is a vast one. Your own attorney is your best source of information directly related to your own case, but we created this website to give you a good basic overview of what your personal injury case may entail — and what you can expect when you meet with your attorney. Dig in and start reading our articles; you'll soon feel more informed as to what's to come.