What a lot of people don’t realize is that after a car accident, their body is flooded with adrenaline, which masks the feeling of pain. After the initial shock subsides, emotions run high and people aren’t exactly paying attention to the signs of an injury unless they have broken bones or can’t breathe.
Because of this natural adrenaline rush, some people will think they don’t need to go to the hospital and they don’t need medical attention. However, failing to seek medical attention after a car accident cannot only be detrimental to you physically, but it can hurt your claim. So, in the event of a car accident, should you see a physician or a chiropractor?
Should You See a Doctor or a Chiropractor?
Some injuries are easy to identify after an accident. Think broken bones, road rash (if you were ejected from the vehicle), airbag burns, broken bones, and amputation injuries. If you experience any of these, you should either call an ambulance, admit yourself into an emergency room, or otherwise seek medical attention.
Other injuries are not as visible to the naked eye. Whiplash, soft tissue injuries, concussion, and herniated disks may not be apparent at first, but that doesn’t mean they don’t exist. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for these injuries to surface within hours or days of the accident after the adrenaline wears off.
After being in a car accident, you should seek medical treatment asap. If you suffered broken bones, airbag burns, or if you lost consciousness, you should definitely see a medical doctor. However, if you were able to walk away from the scene and you’re in pain, you should see a chiropractor within the next 24 hours if at all possible.
When you experience pain after a car accident, it’s your body’s way of telling you that you’ve suffered an injury. So, if you experience any of the following symptoms, you should see a chiropractor:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- A stiff neck
- Hip pain
- Blurred vision
- Stiff shoulders
- Neck or back pain
- Pain in the arms or legs
- Numbness & tingling in the arms or legs
After a car crash, it’s important to document your injuries right away, whether that means seeing a medical doctor or a chiropractor, or both. In some cases, it is wise to see both, especially when most of your injuries involve the muscles, ligaments and spine.
Looking for a Columbia personal injury attorney to file a car accident claim on your behalf? Contact us today for a free case evaluation!