Play It Safe with a Post-Accident Medical Checkup
It’s not just significant, violent auto collisions that lead to injuries to drivers and passengers. Seemingly minor fender-benders can cause substantial damage, too.
Injuries sustained from an auto crash might not be noticed initially—sometimes for hours, days, even weeks—for a variety of reasons. A car crash induces a rush of adrenaline and endorphins, chemicals that raise a person’s energy level and frequently block pain. Once the “high” dissipates, pain may kick in.
Soft-tissue injuries cause harm to tendons, muscles, and ligaments and are precipitated by sudden, jarring stops, and when bodies get tossed around inside the car. Whiplash injuries are common. Soft-tissue injury symptoms—pain, swelling, and reduced mobility—might not present themselves immediately, and injuries are not visible on X-rays.
Concussions occur when the brain strikes the inside of the skull with great force. Some concussion symptoms are evident from the outset. Others may be subtle and delayed.
An appointment with a medical doctor is highly recommended following a collision. He/she will assess your overall physical well-being, help you monitor symptoms of potential injuries, and document your condition, which is vital to possibly filing a future medical claim. Procrastination diminishes your chances of success.
Insurance adjusters also know that injury symptoms are sometimes delayed. They may pressure you to agree to an early settlement before symptoms have manifested themselves. If you sign a release and symptoms occur afterward, you can no longer ask the insurance company to pay for your treatment.
If you have been injured in an auto accident, contact an auto accident attorney to protect your rights.