An auto accident can be a frightening experience, and that's true whether it resulted in severe, life-changing injuries or nothing more than a jangling of nerves. In any case, it’s crucial to seek medical attention in the wake of a crash even if you aren't experiencing significant pain or feel you haven't been seriously hurt. Here are three reasons to prioritize a trip to the ER or doctor's office in the hours following an accident.

The Importance of Seeing a Doctor After a Car Wreck

1. You May Have Injuries You Aren't Aware Of

Not all auto accident injuries show up right away. Certain soft tissue damage, such as whiplash, may take hours or days to present itself. These wounds can be extremely painful and life-limiting, but they can typically be treated with prompt medical intervention.

On the more serious end of the spectrum, traumatic brain injuries don't always exhibit immediate symptoms, either, and waiting to seek medical help could literally mean the difference between life and death.

2. Small Injuries Can Worsen Over Time

What might feel like a minor or insignificant injury has the potential to get worse if left untreated. This delay can complicate your recovery, and the injury could require more intensive, costlier treatments than it would have if addressed right away.

A delayed response could also jeopardize any legal claim you might file as a result of the accident; if the defendant, a judge, or a jury sees that the plaintiff waited to get medical help, they might deduce that the injuries were never that severe to begin with.

3. Support Your Personal Injury Claim

Doctors keep detailed records on all their patients. When an accident victim comes in, the doctor will write an objective, professional description and assessment of the injuries sustained and design a specific plan of treatment.

This documentation will become part of your medical record, which will be essential to your personal injury claim, as it offers specialized, third-party insight into the nature and extent of all injuries and their impact both in the long- and short-term.

Along with a doctor, a lawyer will be one of your biggest allies in an injury claim. Carey & Hamner, P.C. represents clients throughout the Ozark, Dothan, and Enterprise, AL, areas. They offer legal services in all manner of injury claims, including auto accidents, workers' compensation cases, and Social Security disability denials. Call (855) 435-4797 or visit their website to schedule a free consultation today.