Car accidents are not only traumatic but can also leave us in a state of financial distress. We fear going to the hospital and having the medical professionals thoroughly examine us for injuries because medical care can be expensive. However, it is critical that we seek medical attention right after a car accident, no matter how minor our injuries may seem.
Car accident injuries may not appear immediately
Our bodies release adrenaline as a response to stress and threats, and a car accident is a highly stressful and hostile situation. Adrenaline and other hormones can temporarily block the sensation of pain and mask it, causing us to feel fine when we may not be fine at all. While many car accident injuries are blatant, such as broken bones and lacerations, others take time to manifest. Delayed onset injuries can be life-threatening. Some examples of delayed onset injuries from car accidents include:
- Whiplash
- Blood clots and hematomas
- Internal bleeding
- Organ rupture
- Serious traumatic brain injury
- Back and spine injury
A complete medical examination can allow us to determine underlying injuries that our bodies mask as an automatic response to stimuli. A qualified medical expert can give us the proper diagnosis and treatment. They can account for all the injuries we sustained in the accident, even the invisible ones. Delaying treatment can be fatal.
A visit to the hospital after a car accident is medical proof
A visit to the hospital in the immediate aftermath of the car crash directly connects any injuries we sustained to the accident. Medical bills, doctor’s notes, medical records and incident reports can all play a crucial role when we want to hold the at-fault driver accountable. Medical evidence can allow us to determine the amount of compensation we want to retrieve from a lawsuit or insurance claim and help us build a credible case against the at-fault driver.