After a car accident, you may understandably feel shaken. You may have a hard time understanding what is happening or even answering questions that others may ask you. You could even feel a bit detached and not know whether you are hurt.
Sometimes, adrenaline and other chemicals in your body can mask feelings of pain after a startling event. As a result, when someone asks if you are hurt, your first instinct may be to say no. In reality, you could have suffered serious injuries but not realize it yet.
Should you go to the ER?
It can sometimes be difficult to determine whether a trip to the emergency room after a car accident is necessary. If there are obvious signs of injury, such as serious pain, blood, loss of consciousness or other symptoms, going to the ER is often necessary. Even if such obvious signs are not present, it may still be wise for you to get checked out immediately after a car accident because you may start to exhibit signs of a serious injury after the adrenaline wears off.
In some cases, paramedics who come to the scene may not ask if you need to go to the ER. They may immediately assess your injuries as serious and take you without question. However, if EMS personnel do ask whether you feel you need to go and you decline, it is still important that you follow up with your primary care physician soon after the incident. Delayed symptoms are not uncommon after accidents, and while you may not immediately experience pain, you could later.
Why is medical attention important?
Seeking medical attention after a car accident is important for various reasons. First, you need to ensure that you take care of your physical health. An ER doctor or your primary care physician can examine you to determine whether the accident caused any injuries and start you on the right treatment path if injuries did occur.
Additionally, if another driver caused the accident and you did end up injured, having medical records relating to the accident could come into play if you choose to file a personal injury claim. Delaying treatment could harm any claim you try to make later, so seeking medical attention right away is a smart move. The information you obtain from medical professionals could act as evidence in your Florida civil case.