Car accidents often happen at the most inconvenient times. You might get rear-ended on the way to work or get side-swiped when you’re running errands. In this situation, you might just want to get on with your day…even if you don’t feel quite right.
Going to the hospital or urgent care can take up a significant chunk of your day, but it is often necessary after a motor vehicle accident. Many car accident injuries can be serious or life-threatening, particularly without prompt treatment. Other injuries don’t have obvious symptoms, yet can cause significant problems down the road. Below, we list some more obvious signs that you should go to the hospital after a car accident, but we believe that it is always worth your time to get checked out after a crash.
At Texas Law Guns, Accident and Injury Lawyers, we work hard to help our clients get maximum compensation for their injuries. We handle all cases on a contingency fee basis, which means that you will never pay a fee unless we recover money for you. To learn more or to schedule an appointment with a Texas car accident attorney, contact our law offices today.
When Should You Go to the Hospital After an Accident?
Imagine that you are heading out for an evening with friends when a distracted driver changes lanes without looking and crashes into your car. You feel fine and want to make your dinner reservation. Plus, you already had to stand on the side of the road and wait for the police to show up to do an accident report. Do you really have to go to the hospital and wait for hours to be seen?
As Texas personal injury attorneys, we know that going to the hospital after a car accident is rarely enjoyable or convenient. But even if you feel fine, you could have hidden injuries that could turn into a much more serious problem without proper diagnosis and treatment. For this reason alone, it is always worth your time to see a doctor after a motor vehicle accident (even a seemingly minor one).
There is also another benefit to getting medical treatment: it can help any legal claim that you might pursue. Your medical records from directly after the crash can be used to prove that your injuries were caused by the accident. This can be important evidence in a personal injury lawsuit.
In some cases, there is absolutely no question that you should go to the hospital immediately. You might even need to call 911 and go via ambulance (or have someone make the call for you). Below, we list some of the signs that you need immediate medical treatment after a car accident.
You Are in Pain
It may seem obvious, but if you are experiencing a lot of pain or discomfort, you should go to the hospital. Pain is your body’s reaction to injury. Whether you are dealing with shooting pain, burning, aches, or even headaches, you should take it as a sign that you need to be seen by a doctor.
You Have Visible Injuries
If you can actually see an injury, like a broken bone or bleeding, you should head to the ER. If you just have a small scratch with a bit of blood, going to the hospital might not be necessary. But for more significant bleeding or other visible injuries, it is critical that you get a diagnosis and treatment in a sterile setting.
You Lost Consciousness
One of the clearest signs of a concussion or head injury is loss of consciousness. Even if you only were out for a few moments, it is still a major sign that something is wrong. You should go to the hospital immediately for a medical evaluation. This is particularly important because medical conditions like traumatic brain injury (TBI) can become far more serious (or deadly) without rapid intervention.
You Have Headaches or Dizziness
Along with loss of consciousness, headaches and/or dizziness can be a sign of a brain injury. Sometimes, it isn’t always obvious that you hurt your head, which may cause you to dismiss symptoms like headaches after a crash. If you notice that you feel a bit dizzy or that your head hurts, you should go to the hospital for a full evaluation.
You Have Difficulty Breathing or Chest Pain
Car accidents can often cause chest injuries, such as rib fractures or punctured lungs, often due to seat belts and airbags. This can often lead to symptoms such as difficulty breathing and/or chest pain. If you have either of these symptoms, you should not ignore them. Instead, head to the nearest hospital for X-rays and an evaluation.
You Are Confused
Another key sign of a concussion or head injury is confusion or memory loss. Car accidents are a leading cause of head injuries, which can be incredibly serious if left untreated. If your loved ones notice that you seem confused or that you aren’t remembering things, you should seek immediate medical attention.
You Have Neck or Back Pain
Car accidents are a common cause of head and neck injuries, like whiplash, concussion, or spinal cord injuries. If you feel neck or back pain after an accident, you should go to the hospital or schedule a doctor’s appointment as soon as possible. With some injuries, like whiplash, the symptoms might not appear for a few days. Pay attention to your body and get treatment as soon as you notice them.
You Are Experiencing Numbness or Tingling
Numbness and tingling can be a sign of nerve damage. This can be caused by a car accident, including cases involving spinal cord injuries. These symptoms might not appear right away, especially if you are in shock right after a crash. If you feel burning, numbness, or tingling anywhere on your body, be sure to get checked out by a medical professional.
You Have Abdominal Pain or Swelling
If you notice swelling or pain in your abdomen after a motor vehicle accident, it could be a sign of internal bleeding. You might also notice other symptoms, like nausea that won’t go away, bloody stools, or a tender stomach. Internal bleeding can be dangerous and is difficult to detect without a full workup, so be sure to go to the doctor or hospital as soon as possible.
You Have Changes in Personality or Functioning
If you act or function differently than you normally do, it may be a sign of a brain injury. For example, if you are off balance or are grouchy or irritable in a way that is unusual for you, you should get checked out as soon as possible.
Is It Always a Good Idea to Go to the Hospital After a Car Accident?
Wait times in an emergency room can be extraordinarily long. If you mostly feel fine, you might not want to waste your time sitting in a waiting room for hours. In this situation, you might go to urgent care or even call your primary care doctor for an appointment. If you are experiencing more serious symptoms, are pregnant, or have other medical conditions, then you should go to the hospital.
The most important thing is that you get checked out by a doctor, whether you go to an office visit or to the hospital. If you have more serious symptoms, such as the ones listed above, then the hospital is a better choice. If you just want to play it safe and make sure that you’re OK, you can probably see your regular doctor or go to urgent care later that day or the next day.
Insurance companies sometimes argue that an accident victim’s injuries are more severe than they would have been if they had gotten medical treatment. This argument is meant to limit the amount of money that they have to pay for a claim. Insurers may also argue that your injuries weren’t caused by the accident if you wait too long to see a healthcare professional.
While going to the hospital after a car accident can be inconvenient, it is a smart decision for your health and your personal injury case. If you want to maximize the value of your settlement and protect your well-being, you should always err on the side of caution and see a doctor after a crash.
Hurt in an Accident? Don’t Hesitate to Call.
It can be hard to know when injuries from a car accident are serious enough to warrant medical treatment. Generally, we think that it’s better to be safe than sorry. Even for a relatively minor car accident, you should seek medical care to make sure that you are OK and get medical treatment if necessary.
At Texas Law Guns, Injury and Accident Lawyers, we offer zealous legal representation for accident victims in San Antonio and beyond. We use our experience and legal acumen to take on the big insurance companies…and win. We offer free initial consultations and never charge a fee unless we recover money for you, so there is no risk in talking to us about your case. To learn more or to schedule a free initial consultation with a San Antonio car accident lawyer, give us a call at 866-922-2353 or fill out our online contact form.
Alexander Begum has tried over 50 trials to verdict and tried or settled over $500 million in cases. Alex is a founding shareholder of the Texas Law Gun, Injury and Accident Lawyers.