Seeking Medical Care After a Car Accident
So you’ve been in a motor vehicle accident. Maybe you have obvious injuries or just slight injuries. Maybe you don’t feel as though you were injured at all. The one question that comes into mind is if you should go to a doctor and get checked out. The answer to this is simple…yes…and to do it as soon as possible.
Reasons to Seek Medical Treatment
Cortisol and adrenaline that releases at the time of an accident from the emotional and physical trauma can mask physical symptoms. This is the “fight or flight” response that everyone has heard about. Both of these are hormones produced by the adrenal gland that regulate stress and can mask the pain that might arise later. Because of this, those who require medical treatment a few days or weeks later may be accused of faking or of the injury being unrelated to the accident.
What Happens When Cortisol and Adrenaline Are Released in the Body?
Survival responses kick in such as a heightened sense of awareness, lack of pain, narrowed vision and hearing and faster breathing. It can also give you an energy boost due to blood vessel dilation and the release of sugars into the blood. However, when that hormone rush starts to fall, then pain may appear.
What Types of Delayed Injuries Can Surface Following an Accident?
Back injuries can occur due to a motor vehicle accident and might represent injuries to soft tissues or the spine, causing disc problems, dislocation, or pinched nerves. These types of injuries may also result in posttraumatic arthritis, a condition that can cause debilitating pain for the rest of an individual’s life. Headaches may arise, which might be something minor such as a stress reaction or could signal a head injury, coup contrecoup injury, or brain injury such as a concussion. Shoulder or neck pain might also signal a neck or spine injury. Abdominal pain that arises following an accident can be serious and may indicate internal bleeding, which can snowball into a dangerous condition. Emotional problems may also surface following an accident, which can cause depression, nightmares, sleepless nights, and other symptoms of PTSD.
What to Tell Your Doctor
Be sure to tell the physician that you were involved in an accident and are there to be checked out. Make sure this is noted in your chart, and do not volunteer more than the necessary information. Keep all receipts for prescriptions and any appointments made with the doctor, and keep all appointments. An initial treatment where the accident victim does not fill prescriptions or keep further scheduled appointments can make an injury seem less serious or even questionable. While a release of liability may be requested by the other driver’s insurance company, it is not a good idea to sign one without the advice of a lawyer because it may not cover all medical expenses when injuries result from the crash.
Attorney Ed Smith
Arcata Car Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, an Arcata car accident lawyer. If you or a loved one has been injured following an accident caused by negligence, please call (707) 564-1900 for free and friendly advice. You can also reach me toll-free at (800) 404-5400.
Since 1982, I have helped Californians to obtain fair compensation for their personal injury cases.
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