Few situations are more stressful than a car accident—in the whirlwind of it all, you may not realize that you’re injured. Whether you immediately feel an injury or not, it’s important to take caution by visiting a medical professional afterward. Injuries can range from minor to severe, making car accident recovery an uncertain process. A doctor’s opinion will establish a clear path forward.
The roads of Georgia can be unpredictable and dangerous, but the accident claim process doesn’t have to be. Weatherby Law Firm’s Atlanta car accident attorneys can help you in the wake of an accident, working to earn you proper compensation for your medical bills and physical injuries.
After an accident, your safety should be at the front of your mind. Let’s discuss what to expect physically after a car accident and what you should do in the following days.
Immediate Physical Effects of a Car Accident
People are often in shock immediately after a car accident. When you enter shock, your blood pressure quickly lowers, and you have difficulty thinking clearly. Shock can mask injuries, as can an adrenaline rush.
Adrenaline rushes automatically kick in during fight-or-flight situations, decreasing your pain sensitivity. Aside from masking pain, adrenaline rushes are the opposite of shock. An adrenaline rush will increase your blood pressure, awareness, and heart rate.
Pain will not always be suppressed by these conditions, though. Many victims of a car accident will quickly notice the following:
- Pain and tenderness
- Dizziness or confusion
- Cuts, bruises, and other visible injuries
These issues can worsen with time, being just the tip of the iceberg. A high-impact crash can cause numerous internal injuries that can’t be seen on the surface, so it is important to seek immediate medical attention as soon as possible.
Common Types of Injuries After a Car Accident
Injuries can appear anywhere on your body after a car crash, and they can happen to anyone, regardless of height, weight, or strength. Car accidents exert huge amounts of force on passengers, putting them at risk of the following:
- Concussions
- Whiplash and neck stiffness
- Herniated discs
- Joint sprains
- Abdominal pain
- Bruising
- Muscle tears
- Tinnitus
- Excessive headaches or migraines
- Organ damage, internal bleeding, and hidden injuries
Delayed Symptoms to Watch For
Certain injuries won’t fully reveal themselves until weeks or months after your accident. You need to pay close attention to your body after a car crash, even after the initial shock and pain have worn off. But why do these symptoms take so long to appear?
Many delayed symptoms emerge from unresolved injuries and emotional pain. When a passenger does not receive immediate medical attention after an accident, the initial impact can wear on them over time, causing chronic pain and stress. Common delayed symptoms include:
- Headaches
- Back pain
- Spinal cord injury
- Numbness or tingling
- Emotional or psychological changes (such as PTSD)
Many of these injuries can decrease your mobility and ability to perform everyday tasks. Without physical therapy and rehabilitation, they may be irreversible. You deserve access to these services, and Weatherby Law Firm will fight to earn you the compensation necessary to pay for them. Our firm’s goal is to make lives better with honor, efficiency, and effectiveness—the first step is understanding your feelings and how we can best be of service.
Steps to Take for Physical Recovery
Since car accident injuries occur with varying levels of severity, the recovery process is different for everyone. But many of our clients have achieved significant recoveries by taking the following steps:
- Visit a medical professional: Even if you have no visible injuries, you should see a medical professional after a car accident. Doctors can diagnose hidden and internal injuries, potentially saving you from significant chronic pain.
- Document injuries: Documenting your injuries and saving medical bills can help you make a successful personal injury claim. A successful claim will help you pay for medical expenses, lost wages, and more.
- Rest and manage pain: It’s important not to overexert yourself in the wake of a car accident. Rest when you can, get plenty of sleep, and avoid putting your body under duress.
- Follow prescribed treatments: Your doctor may give you a list of medications, therapies, and other treatments to help you through the car accident recovery process. It’s important to follow their advice so you recover as smoothly as possible.
- Physical therapy: Serious accidents can leave you with injuries requiring physical therapy. Physical therapy is a difficult process, but it changes many patients’ lives for the better.
- Adjust to lifestyle changes if necessary: Unfortunately, some car accident injuries cannot be fully treated. Some injuries may require you to alter your eating habits, physical activity, or sleeping positions.
Legal Implications of Physical Injuries from Car Accidents
If you suffered injuries from a car accident, you have rights, and Weatherby Law Firm will work to protect those rights. Before making a personal injury claim, you should document all your injuries—you can be compensated for pain and suffering, lost wages, property damage, medical expenses, and more. Medical bills are a critical piece of evidence for your claim, so be sure to acquire copies of all your hospital, urgent care, and specialist bills related to the accident.
A personal injury lawyer protects your rights and secures you fair compensation by dealing with your insurance company, whether by filing a claim or lawsuit. Our lawyers will do the heavy lifting for you, ensuring that you can focus on your recovery, loved ones, and daily responsibilities.
We will frequently correspond with you, checking in on your recovery and updating you on our work. We arrange witness testimonies, collect medical bills, sort through police reports, and negotiate with your insurance company to ensure you are properly cared for. We will prepare for a trial if needed, doing everything to ensure maximum compensation.
Speak with an Experienced Car Accident Attorney
At Weatherby Law Firm, we’re damn good lawyers. We have protected people across Georgia since 2010, earning recognition from Super Lawyers, AV Preeminent, and Lawyers to Watch while earning millions of dollars for our clients.
Our #1 priority is your safety. After a car accident, the first thing you should do is receive medical attention. Don’t think about lawyers, money, or insurance just yet—take care of your health and safety first.
Document the accident if you can, but again, your health is the most important thing of all. The rest can be taken care of later, especially when you have a lawyer by your side. Our expert car accident attorneys can guide you through the personal injury claim process, reducing your stress and establishing a plan to earn you fair compensation.
Car accidents can be painful, but making a claim doesn’t have to be. Contact us today for a free car accident case consultation.