When you’ve had an auto accident and sustained injuries, it’s very important to be evaluated by a medical professional as soon as possible. If your injuries are very serious, an ambulance may bring you to the ER. If your accident happened when your doctor’s office isn’t open, you may also need to visit an emergency room for evaluation and treatment.
Emergency rooms are staffed with medical professionals who are highly experienced in diagnosing and treating traumas. Even if you don’t think you’ve been injured, it’s a good idea to see your doctor or visit the emergency room to find out the extent of your injuries.
Communicating with Emergency Room Staff
You may want to believe that your injuries aren’t serious or that you haven’t been injured at all, but in order to know for sure, you’ll need to give as much information as you can to the ER doctors and nurses. Tell them exactly how the accident happened and if any part of your body suffered a blow or trauma of any kind.
If your head was slammed against the windshield, make sure you tell the doctor even if it doesn’t hurt at all immediately after the accident. If you weren’t wearing a seatbelt and were thrown against the dashboard, have the doctor thoroughly examine your chest and abdominal area.
If You’re Admitted to the Hospital
If your injuries are fairly serious, you may be admitted to the hospital. During this time, you are probably feeling very stressed. You may be worried about missing work or another day to day obligation as well as the financial impact the car accident is having on your life. You may even be worried about whether the physical impact of your injuries is temporary or permanent.
In the midst of all this stress, you may be contacted by the other driver’s insurance company. The adjuster will try to come off as warm and concerned, and he may urge you to agree to a low settlement. This is a vulnerable time for you, and you shouldn’t agree to anything until you have a better idea of how serious your injuries are or how long you’ll be out of work.
If You’re Sent Home
If your injuries aren’t life-threatening or don’t require immediate treatment, you may be sent home from the hospital with instructions to follow up with your own doctor. It’s important to closely follow the exact instructions given to you by the doctor you see right after an accident.
The doctor may tell you to watch out for certain symptoms, which could be signs of more serious injury. If you develop these signs or symptoms, you will require a further evaluation. These symptoms include:
- Neck or shoulder pain or stiffness
- Back pain
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Confusion
- Abdominal pain or swelling
- Numbness
- Mood swings or personality changes
The Importance of Medical Care
It’s always a good idea to be evaluated by a doctor or at an emergency room soon after an auto accident. Being seen by a doctor can protect you from complications that could be caused by trying to resume your normal activities too soon. A prompt medical evaluation can also provide evidence if you decide to file a personal injury claim and it can provide proof that your injuries were accident-related rather than having a different cause.
If you’ve been injured in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, consult a personal injury attorney with any questions you may have. Contact Taos Injury Lawyers by completing this form. We will get back to you promptly to discuss your accident and see how we can help.