We may not think about it every time we get in our cars and turn the key into the ignition, but we take risks when we operate motor vehicles. Whether due to poor road conditions or distracted driving, accidents can happen when we least expect them — and when they do, they’re all too often physically and emotionally scarring. Regardless of how you feel after a car accident, it’s crucial to seek medical attention from a licensed doctor. Many injuries may not be apparent right away, making early medical evaluation essential for both your health and any legal action you may decide to take.
After a car accident, your body’s natural response is to release adrenaline, which can mask pain and other symptoms of injury. This surge of adrenaline can lead you to believe you’re unharmed when, in reality, you may have sustained serious injuries. By seeking prompt medical care, you ensure that any suppressed injuries are identified and treated early, potentially preventing long-term complications.
Delaying medical treatment can give insurance companies or opposing parties grounds to argue that your injuries were not caused by the accident or that they’re not as severe as you claim. Seeing a doctor immediately after an accident creates a crucial paper trail. This medical documentation serves as evidence linking your injuries directly to the accident, which will later prove vital if you decide to file a personal injury claim.
In the following article, we’ll examine in more detail why it’s important to protect your health and your legal rights by seeking treatment from a car accident doctor if you’ve been injured in an auto collision. Along with common types of car accident injuries and their symptoms, we’ll review the different types of auto accident doctors who treat them so that you can be prepared should you find yourself struggling in the aftermath of a car accident.
Why You Should Always See a Doctor After a Car Accident
Car accidents can cause a variety of injuries — such as whiplash, internal bleeding, or concussions — that may not be immediately apparent but can resurface later on. By seeing a doctor promptly, you increase the chances of detecting and treating these injuries before they worsen.
Furthermore, if you need to file a personal injury claim, the strength of your case often depends on the quality and timeliness of your medical documentation. Here’s why:
- Establishes a clear link: Immediate medical records create a direct connection between the accident and your injuries.
- Proves injury severity: Detailed medical reports provide evidence of the extent of your injuries.
- Shows proactive care: Seeking prompt medical attention demonstrates that you took your injuries seriously.
- Prevents disputes: Timely documentation makes it harder for insurance companies to argue that your injuries were caused by something other than the accident.
Types of Doctors to See After a Car Accident
Depending on the nature and severity of your injuries, you may need to meet with various medical professionals after a car accident. Each specialist plays a crucial role in your physical recovery and in documenting your injuries for any potential legal claims.
Here are the types of car accident doctors with whom you might need to consult:
Emergency Room Doctor
When to see them:
If you have life-threatening or potentially catastrophic injuries that require immediate attention.
What they do:
Emergency room physicians are specialists in handling critical, life-threatening situations. These doctors are trained to stabilize patients and provide urgent treatments. They may also order immediate diagnostic tests like X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs to assess the full extent of your injuries.
They provide immediate care for severe injuries such as:
- Major fractures
- Head trauma
- Internal bleeding
- Severe lacerations
Urgent Care Doctor
When to see them:
For non-life-threatening injuries that still require prompt attention.
What they do:
Urgent care clinics can be a faster and more convenient alternative to emergency rooms. Urgent care is suitable for less severe injuries like minor cuts, sprains, or mild whiplash symptoms.
Services they can provide:
- Initial assessments
- Treatment for minor injuries
- Referrals to specialists if needed
Primary Care Physician (PCP)
When to see them:
For follow-up care, ongoing treatment, and referrals to specialists
What they do:
Your PCP plays a crucial role in your post-accident care. If your PCP offers same-day appointments, it’s often preferable to see them instead of going to urgent care. However, if they’re not immediately available, prioritize being seen as soon as possible elsewhere, and schedule a follow-up with your PCP.
Benefits of seeing a PCP include:
- They know your medical history, making diagnosis easier
- They can provide follow-up care and monitor your recovery
- They can refer you to appropriate specialists if needed
Specialists You Might Need to See
Depending on your specific injuries, you may be referred to various specialists, each of whom plays a vital role in your recovery and in documenting your injuries for any potential legal claims. Always follow your doctor’s recommendations for specialist consultations to ensure you receive comprehensive care for all aspects of your injuries.
Some examples of specialists you might need to see include:
- Neurologist: For brain and nerve injuries. They diagnose and treat conditions like concussions, traumatic brain injuries, or nerve damage.
- Orthopedic Surgeon: For fractures and skeletal injuries. They specialize in the musculoskeletal system and can treat broken bones, joint injuries, and other skeletal trauma.
- Pain Management Specialist: For chronic pain resulting from soft tissue injuries. They can provide treatments to manage ongoing pain and improve your quality of life.
- Radiologist: These doctors interpret imaging studies like X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs. While you might not meet them directly, their expertise is crucial in diagnosing internal injuries.
- Plastic Surgeon: For injuries requiring reconstructive surgery. They can help restore both form and function, particularly for facial injuries or severe lacerations.
Common Car Accident Injuries and Their Symptoms
- Whiplash: This common car accident injury, often caused by rear-end collisions, often doesn’t manifest symptoms until hours — or even days — after the incident. Symptoms may include neck pain and stiffness, headaches, tenderness in the shoulders or upper back, dizziness, or blurred vision.
- Internal Bleeding: A potentially life-threatening condition that may not show external signs right away, internal bleeding can lead to blood in your urine and dull to sharp cramping pain.
- Concussions and Traumatic Brain Injury: Symptoms of traumatic brain injuries can be subtle and may not appear immediately. They can later cause seizures, blood vessel damage, and infection.
- Fractures and Soft tissue Injuries: Damage to muscles, ligaments, and tendons can take time to become noticeable, resulting in a range of symptoms — from mild bruising to broken bones.
- Spinal Injuries: Often severe spinal cord injuries can result in paralysis, difficulty walking, and sensory loss.
How Seeing a Doctor Impacts Your Legal Case
One of the most critical aspects of a successful personal injury claim is proving that your injuries were directly caused by the car accident. The sooner you see a doctor after the accident, the stronger this link becomes. For example, when you visit a doctor immediately after an accident, they document your injuries in real-time, creating a clear timeline that connects the accident to your injuries. Additionally, without prompt medical attention, insurance companies or the defendant’s attorney may argue that your injuries existed before the accident or were caused by a separate incident. Early medical records help refute these claims.
Medical records also demonstrate injury severity, providing objective evidence of the extent of your injuries, which is crucial in determining appropriate compensation. Detailed medical records help substantiate your claim for medical expense reimbursement, so collect as much of it as possible — doctor’s notes, diagnostic test results, and treatment plans — to paint a comprehensive picture of your injuries and their impact on your quality of life.
Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts by questioning the severity of injuries or the necessity of treatments. Prompt medical attention helps counter these tactics, demonstrating injury seriousness. Immediate medical care also shows that you took your injuries seriously, making it harder for insurers to downplay their significance.
To build a strong personal injury claim:
- Seek Medical Care Promptly: Ideally, you should see a doctor within three days of the accident. The sooner, the better.
- Follow Treatment Plans: Adhering to your doctor’s recommendations demonstrates the genuine nature of your injuries and your commitment to recovery.
- Keep Detailed Records: Save all medical documentation, including bills, prescriptions, and doctor’s notes.
- Be Consistent in Your Statements: Ensure that your account of the accident and your injuries remains consistent across all medical visits and legal proceedings.
Contact Weatherby Law Firm if You Need Help With Your Car Accident Claim
While compensation is important, your health should always be your primary concern. By seeking prompt medical care from a car accident doctor, you’re not only protecting your well-being but also safeguarding your right to fair compensation for your injuries.
After visiting a car injury doctor, your next call should be to an experienced car accident lawyer. At Weatherby Law, we can help guide you through your car accident claim, protecting your rights along the way and advocating for maximum compensation.
If you’ve been injured in a car crash, schedule a free consultation to sit down with us so we can learn more about the accident that caused your injury. We recognize that every case is unique, with its own set of challenges and nuances, so we fight compassionately to ensure fair settlements that capture the full extent of the injuries you’ve suffered. Our team of car accident lawyers has decades of combined experience, having won millions for our satisfied clients. Weatherby Law will win for you, too.
