Do I Need to Seek Medical Attention After an Accident If I’m Only Sore?
Oklahoma statistically sees over 70,000 car accidents each year, with about half of these resulting in some kind of severe injury. While it is common for people to walk away with just a bit of soreness, mild headache, or other symptoms assumed not to warrant a visit to the doctor’s office – you may be doing yourself more harm than good.
Some Injuries Show Late-Onset Symptoms
One of the biggest reasons you might not want to wait to see a doctor for your soreness is that some medical conditions (mental and psychological) can have late-onset symptoms. This is often because either 1.) the injury takes longer to show symptoms until you start performing other activities or 2.) the adrenaline of the accident or other circumstances suppressed the pain until later on.
Some common late-onset symptoms you need to be aware of in case they turn into something more serious are:
- Tingling or numbness
- Headaches
- Abdominal or chest pain
- Severe behavioral changes or PTSD
- Neck, shoulder, and back pain
The Dangers of Waiting to Seek Medical Attention
Even if you don’t think that the soreness or symptoms you’re experiencing aren’t severe enough to warrant a doctor’s visit, getting this help sooner rather than later is ultimately a better decision. Here are a few reasons why:
Concussions
Waiting more than 72 hours to get concussion reviewed, or not seeing a doctor at all, could have some severe consequences on your health. Long term effects of concussions can include memory problems, mental health issues, or even personality changes. Although these are rare, it is better to err on the side of caution with any brain injury.
Insurance Claims and Evidence
Waiting too long to seek medical attention after an accident can negatively impact how your case is seen, should you decide to pursue legal action. Medical records are a key piece of evidence in any personal injury case and can also help with insurance claims. If you wait to seek a proper diagnosis, the insurance adjuster investigating your injury may try to claim that there is insufficient evidence to show a direct causation between your injuries and the accident. As a result, your case may be denied.
Aizenman Law Group: Protecting Those Injured Across Oklahoma
When it comes to any type of car accident, it’s better to be safe and protect your safety and legal rights to compensation by seeking immediate medical attention. If you or a loved one has been injured on Oklahoma roads, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our legal team at 631-769-8431 to discuss your case.
