When to See a Doctor After a Car Accident

Car, truck or other accidents can be overwhelming and traumatic experiences. Worrying about insurance claims, car repairs and missing work can cause us to put injuries and self care on a back burner. But no matter the severity of your accident, if you are experiencing any type of pain it’s very important to stop and seek medical care for yourself.

Injuries may not reveal themselves immediately

After an accident your body is racing from adrenaline and hormones, so injuries may not seem immediately obvious, especially if they’re internal. Seeing a doctor should become your primary focus to ensure any injuries receive proper diagnosis and treatment. The most common injuries that may have a delay in appearance are: 

• Whiplash: When you’re in a car accident, you will most likely suffer some degree of whiplash. This is the backwards/forwards motion of your neck which can affect bones, tissue and muscle damage. You may not feel the full impact for a week or longer after the accident.

• Concussions are caused by a quick movement forcing your brain to slam into your skull. There are different severity levels for concussions, but it can be a very serious injury. If you believe you’ve hit your head in an accident it’s important to seek medical attention right away.

• Spine Injuries. Days after a crash these usually manifest as small aches and pains but can cause years of difficulty down the road. Ignoring back, shoulder or spinal injuries can make them worse, so don’t ignore pain!