In 2020, an estimated 4.8 million people in the US got injured in a car accident. What’s even worse is how these crashes claimed the lives of over 42,000 individuals.
Those figures prove how common car collisions are, even if most of them are preventable. Moreover, some of the injuries they cause can manifest days or even weeks after the incident.
If you’ve been in a recent car crash yourself, you may experience delayed injury symptoms. In that case, use this guide to learn the next steps you need to take.
Visit Your Primary Physician
Anyone who’s been in a crash should see a doctor, whether or not they have visible injuries. That’s because even low-speed motor vehicle collisions can already result in internal injuries. For example, whiplash injuries can occur at speeds as slow as 5 miles per hour.
Whiplash symptoms, such as neck pain, loss of mobility, and dizziness, can occur right away. However, they can occur several days or even weeks later. What’s more, they can persist for weeks, months, or even half a decade or longer.
With that said, consult your doctor as soon as you can following your accident. Your physician will have you undergo motion, reflex, imaging, and blood tests. All these will help the medical professional determine if you have hidden injuries.
Consult a Chiropractor
Also called doctors of chiropractic, chiropractors diagnose and treat musculoskeletal disorders. These medical professionals also provide non-surgical care for nervous system conditions. Personal injury chiropractors, in turn, specialize in treating accident patients.
Studies found evidence that chiropractic services can be helpful for pain management. These non-invasive methods can help minimize acute and chronic pain, as well as neck pain. Moreover, patients who undergo chiropractic care have lower odds of needing opioid medications.
Personal injury chiropractors can also be invaluable to a car accident claim. They can furnish medical reports that you’d need when filing an insurance claim.
Seek Professional Legal Help
As you’re recovering from injuries, you’d need to start working on your insurance claim. Otherwise, you may end up shouldering all your medical expenses. This can also happen if your insurer or the other driver’s insurer denies your claim.
While it doesn’t happen all the time, insurance companies do deny claims, even valid ones. Others offer low-ball settlement amounts in the hopes of reducing their losses. The thing is, many victims accept these offers due to the exorbitant medical costs in the US.
Do not agree to the first offer you get from an insurance company. Consider reaching out to a car accident lawyer first so that they can determine how fair the offer is. If it’s not, you can rely on your attorney to conduct the negotiations on your behalf.
Take These Steps Right After Getting Injured in a Car Accident
Keep in mind that the economic cost of getting injured in a car accident can range from $23,400 to $98,400. You can end up facing even higher expenses if you delay treatment and your injuries worsen. Worse, you may have to shoulder all those costs if your insurance claim gets denied.
So, see a doctor, a chiropractor, and a lawyer immediately after your accident.
Interested in more health and wellness guides? Then please feel free to read our other recent news and blog posts!