Have an Auto Accident Injury | Why You Need a Doctor to Examine You

Auto Accident Injury Need a Doctor to Examine You

Every hour in the US, 510 people suffer some type of auto accident injury.

With numbers like those, you’d imagine that everyone is Googling “doctor for an auto accident.” However, many accidents are relatively minor, and many people make the mistake of skipping a medical exam after a car crash.

What do you think? If you feel fine after a fender-bender, do you really need to seek medical attention? Shouldn’t you only visit an auto accident injury doctor if you have severe injuries?

We’ll answer these critical questions and more, so keep reading!

Common Types of Auto Accident Injuries

Some auto accidents are significant enough to cause broken bones, visible cuts, and other “obvious” injuries. If an ambulance shows up and finds you in such a state, you’ll quickly be whisked away to the nearest ER. But what if you’re involved in a crash, and you have no visible signs of injury? If you’re able to step out of your car, examine the damage, and exchange information with the other driver, you might think that you’re perfectly fine and don’t need a checkup.

The problem with this belief is that many auto accident injuries don’t appear right away. Adrenaline floods your body in the moments following a collision, which temporarily masks any pain you’d otherwise feel.

Additionally, some injuries may take days or even weeks to manifest any symptoms. Examples include:

  • Whiplash
  • Spinal injuries
  • Concussion
  • Internal bleeding
  • Nerve compression & pain
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Some of these injuries can become serious – even life-threatening if left undiagnosed and untreated. Others can leave you struggling with pain and limited mobility for months or years after your initial accident.

These are essential factors that create urgency for your personal well-being to be on record. It’s vital to get examined by an injury doctor as soon as possible after your accident.

Why Visit an Auto Accident Injury Doctor?

Your short-term recovery and long-term health are the main reasons to consider getting a proper exam after a car accident. However, these aren’t the only factors to consider.

Here are three additional reasons why you shouldn’t delay seeking medical attention.

The Clock Is Ticking

Why? The state of Florida has a 14-day allowance for personal injury claims and benefits. In other words, you only have 14 days from the accident to get a medical exam and file a claim for your injuries.

Don’t make the mistake of thinking you can always visit the doctor later if you start to feel bad. If you begin experiencing symptoms a few weeks after your car accident, you’ll likely get stuck paying all the medical expenses yourself.

Imagine the consequences if you discover an injury that will require ongoing treatment or, even worse, leave you with partial or total disability. In comparison, a medical exam seems like a minor precaution.

Proper Documentation for Insurance Claims

Aside from peace of mind knowing you definitely are (or are not) injured, a medical exam also starts the all-important paperwork trail you’ll need for your claim. The sooner you get checked out after a crash, the stronger your case will be.

Sadly, insurance adjusters are trained to reduce or deny your claim. They’ll look for any hole in your case or any reason to deny a fair settlement for your injuries. For example, if you played football in high school, they’ll try to pin your back pain on that old injury rather than your recent car crash.

An auto accident injury examination provides the evidence you need to build your case. If you delay medical attention by even a few days, the insurance company will try to blame your symptoms on something other than the accident.

Better Compensation for Your Injuries

You have no way of knowing immediately whether your injuries are minor or if you’ll need ongoing treatment in the future. In other words, you don’t know whether a quick visit to a doctor will be the extent of your medical bills.

What happens if you need surgery, physical therapy, or other long-term treatment? What if you’re unable to return to work right away, or you’re left with a disability? What about the mental and emotional distress that often accompanies an accident?

Even the best injury lawyer won’t help you if you don’t have the evidence required to connect your symptoms to the accident. A professional medical exam is your first step to doing just that.

How Chiropractors Help After a Car Accident

Of course, if your injuries are severe, the best place to seek treatment is the nearest emergency room. But if you don’t need emergency medical treatment, the best place to go for your exam is a chiropractic clinic.

Why? For starters, chiropractors are trained to treat an array of spinal and soft tissue injuries, such as whiplash and herniated discs. A chiropractor can order x-rays or MRIs, if necessary, to properly diagnose the source of your pain.

Next, your chiropractor will develop a treatment plan to help your body recover. The best part of chiropractic care is that it’s 100% all-natural. Rather than taking painkillers that merely mask the symptoms, chiropractic treatment addresses the source of the pain and helps your body heal itself.

While it’s true that you may still need treatment from other doctors or therapists, chiropractic is a vital part of your long-term recovery after an accident.

Need a Florida Doctor for an Auto Accident?

As you can see, the reasons to visit an auto accident injury doctor are clear.

Don’t make the mistake of assuming you’re “fine,” only to be left with long-term pain or major medical bills (or both). Your wisest course of action is to visit an auto accident injury clinic for a brief but thorough exam.

Were you recently in a car accident in Florida? Momentum Medical has 13 convenient locations throughout central and southwest Florida, from Daytona Beach to Naples.

Don’t leave your health to chance. Our team of compassionate doctors is here to get you on the road to recovery. Click here to learn more about our services and find a location near you!