People prefer not to go to the hospital because they are afraid of the medical expenses, even after getting into a serious car accident. They feel okay and think that they are okay. Remember that some injuries take longer to manifest than others, so it would be best to seek medical attention regardless of whether you have any visible injuries. The hospital should thoroughly examine you to determine if the car accident caused internal damage to your body.
Car accident injuries that require medical attention to detect
A car accident is a traumatic experience. The adrenaline and shock from the impact can mask your pain, and when you finally start realizing the symptoms, the injuries may become life-threatening. Delaying treatment can worsen minor and critical injuries, which can lead to permanent damage to your body and possibly death. You will need medical care to detect the following injuries:
- Whiplash
- Internal bleeding
- Spine damage
- Organ damage
- Sprain
- Concussions
- Severe bruising and contusion
Late deaths usually occur three to four weeks after the injury, mainly due to infection or multiple organ failure. Delayed-onset injuries could seem as harmless as minor bruising or recurring back pain. You should not ignore the signs and get medical help at once.
It can also be beneficial from a legal standpoint
Once you get medical care, you create a paper trail linking the injuries to the car accident. It can also help you if you or the other driver eventually pursue a personal injury claim. Your hospital visit will be a part of the accident documentation, which can play a crucial role in determining whether the car accident caused the injuries. If you do not go directly to the hospital but start developing symptoms later, you will have difficulty establishing fault and causation.
A personal injury claim can help you recover compensation for the expenses you incurred from the car accident.