If you are lucky enough to walk away from a car accident without obvious injuries, a visit to the doctor might seem like an unnecessary hassle. However, seeking medical attention is an important step.
Even if you feel fine, you should still see your doctor for several reasons.
Adrenaline can mask injuries
In stressful situations, your adrenal glands produce adrenaline to fuel your body’s fight-or-flight response. Adrenaline dulls your ability to perceive pain, so you might not immediately realize that you have sustained an injury.
Head injuries are not always obvious
You might assume you do not have a head injury because you did not hit your head during the crash. However, a sudden stop that jerks your head back and forth rapidly can lead to a concussion without any direct impact. The symptoms may not develop until hours or days later.
Medical records are important
In Massachusetts, if you sustain injuries in a car accident, you must file a claim with your own insurance under your personal injury protection coverage. If your injuries are severe or your medical bills exceed $2,000, you may be able to file a claim with the other driver’s liability insurance or file a lawsuit against the other driver. In any case, you will need a doctor’s report detailing your injuries.
Prompt action can help your case
If you must file a claim against the other driver’s insurance, seeking medical attention promptly can help your case. If you delay seeking treatment, the other driver’s insurance company may argue that your injuries could not have been that severe or did not occur in the accident.
Even if you feel fine after a car accident, a visit to your doctor can give you peace of mind and provide important evidence for an insurance claim.
