You may not feel pain after a car accident

Following a car accident, it is important to see a doctor immediately. Due to the stress and frustration of the event, you may not feel like going to the doctor’s office, especially if you do not feel any pain. However, this may simply be due to a release of adrenaline blocking the pain receptors in your body. After stressful or traumatic events, such as a collision, your body produces hormones to numb the brain’s pathways that process pain. It is essentially your body coping with the incident, but you do not want to let it fool you.

If you delay medical treatment after a car crash, the injury may worsen over time, and something a doctor could have easily treated may escalate out of control. Also, it could have implications on your ability to get just compensation. You may simply want to go home following a collision, but you need to think about the future. Car accident victims should generally see a doctor within 24 hours of the crash.

Many injuries remain hidden

Some injuries will display minor symptoms that are easy to shrug off after a car accident, but they may only get worse with time. For example, many people experience traumatic brain injuries following a collision. Whiplash can cause the brain to jostle within the skull, striking the bone. The short-term symptoms of this condition typically involve headaches, which could be easy to ignore by taking aspirin. As time goes on, however, worse symptoms could appear such asimpaired language skills, mood swings and increased risk of stroke.

There are also the psychological effects of car accidents. Some people develop post-traumatic stress disorder following a collision, and it may take months to realize what has transpired. By seeing a doctor shortly after the crash, you can receive a full diagnosis. You can begin treatment, and you know exactly how much you need from your insurance provider.