Should I Go To The Hospital After A Car Accident?~3 min read

Being in a car accident is of course stressful. You may feel that you were not hurt and resist seeking medical help. You just want to go home. At Springer & Lyle, we want to help you understand the importance of getting prompt medical attention following a motor vehicle accident.

Why You Need Prompt Medical Attention

Following a car accident, your body naturally releases adrenaline into your system. You may also be in shock. These two natural events may trick you into thinking you are not hurt when you very well may have some type of injury. There are several reasons why you should go to the hospital or see a physician following a motor vehicle accident.

• You may have a serious injury but not have immediate symptoms, like whiplash, traumatic brain injury, soft tissue injuries, internal bleeding, and more. These injuries could get worse if you do not get prompt medical attention.
• Your later recovery process will be faster if you have prompt medical care.
• If you later file a personal injury claim for injuries you suffered in the accident, the insurance company will likely try to minimize your injury if you did not seek timely medical help.

At the accident scene, the police officer will likely ask you if you are hurt. If there is any question about it, it’s best to let the officer know that you do not know and should probably be checked out. Tell the officer you would like to be checked by a doctor before you can answer that question.

What Type of Doctor Should You See?

After your car accident, you may want to get checked by one of the following healthcare professionals.

• Emergency room physician. If you feel any injury at all and are not sure how serious it may be, head to the ER. If you are bleeding or feel light-headed, you should probably call an ambulance to take you there.
• Primary care physician. If you are not sure you sustained and injury, schedule an appointment as soon as possible with your primary care physician who can schedule appropriate testing, such as x-rays and blood tests to determine if you have suffered injuries that did not show up right away.
• Orthopedist. You may have broken a bone or suffered a neck or back injury. An ER physician may refer you to an orthopedist for treatment.

For more information, if you were in a car crash with someone who you believe was at fault, you should get the medical care you need and consult with an experienced personal injury attorney.

The personal injury attorneys at Springer & Lyle can help you get the reasonable compensation you are entitled for your injuries, lost wages, medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other physical damage. Contact us at 940.387.0404 for a free consultation.