If you were recently involved in a Las Vegas car accident, you may be thinking you don’t need to see a doctor. You feel fine, and you don’t really want to deal with the hassle. However, it is important to see a doctor after an accident, even if you feel fine. Here’s why:
Adrenaline May Mask Your Symptoms
Car accidents can be scary experiences. This can cause your body to instinctively go into fight or flight mode. Your body responds naturally to danger by releasing a surge of adrenaline. This adrenaline can have several effects on your body, including:
- Increased energy
- Open airways that increase oxygen flow
- Increased strength
- Hypersensitive hearing and vision
Most importantly, adrenaline can reduce your sensation of pain. Sometimes, it can completely mask pain so that you experience no pain. Eventually, the pain subsides and you feel it. However, this may be hours or days after the accident.
Another reason pain may not be immediately apparent after an accident is because your body might release endorphins. Endorphins affect the way your body responds to pain and stress. Additionally, endorphins make you feel calm and in control, so you might not think you are injured.
Just because you are not experiencing pain does not mean you are not injured. Therefore, it’s vital you get medical attention so your injuries can be identified and diagnosed.
Symptoms May Not Appear Immediately
Some injuries may also take time to show symptoms. For example, soft tissue injuries are common in car accidents because of the difference in speed of the vehicle and your body’s movements. Soft tissue injuries can lead to inflammation and swelling, but these symptoms take time to develop.
Spinal disc injuries are another common injury that motor vehicle accident victims suffer. Over time, discs can tear, bulge, or herniate as the injuries impose pressure on nerves and surrounding tissues.
Common symptoms that may be delayed after a motor vehicle accident include:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Sleep problems
- Inflammation
- Stiffness
- Numbness in extremities
- Blurry vision
- Swelling
- Problems remembering or concentrating
- Nausea
- Reduced range of motion
A Doctor Can Document Your Injuries
Another reason why it is important to seek medical attention is so that a connection can be drawn between the car accident and your injuries. When you visit with doctors, be sure you inform them of the accident and the onset of your symptoms so this information can be documented in your medical records.
An Early Diagnosis Can Prevent Complications
The sooner you visit a doctor, the sooner your injuries can be diagnosed and you can receive treatment. An early diagnosis can help speed up your recovery and may help prevent further complications.
An early diagnosis can also help avoid complications with your legal claim. You have a duty to mitigate damages in your case. This means that you cannot intentionally make your injuries worse than they would have been. By seeking prompt medical attention and following your doctor’s orders, you can show you are taking your health seriously.
If you are hurt in a car accident, contact Koch & Brim Personal Injury Attorneys online or call us at (702) 410-6034. We can advise you on what steps to take to protect your claim and how to maximize your compensation.