The shock immediately following a car accident could prevent you from noticing pain and injury right away. Your body’s fight or flight mechanism and the adrenaline you feel might numb your pain and cause distraction.
Feelings of agitation, confusion or regret may cloud your rationale and you might decline medical assistance at the scene. However, refusing medical treatment could have a detrimental impact on your well-being.
Treatment can prevent worse injury
Arguably the most important reason to get help is to prevent worse injuries from happening. For example, a contusion from an airbag can cause internal bleeding and dangerous swelling. If ignored, you could develop blood clots or compartment syndrome. From a glance, your body might only appear bruised, but you never know for sure what has happened inside. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that in the year 2020, visits to the emergency department for crash-related injuries exceeded 2.1 million.
Immediate medical treatment can protect you from harm and give you information about what to watch for. You can also learn about ways to minimize your pain and encourage your body’s natural healing process.
Medical intervention might support your claim
Another reason to take advantage of a medical evaluation at the scene of your accident is to support an injury claim. Insurance companies often take some time to respond to claims and you could end up waiting months for a resolution. Having proof of your medical records and any treatment you received because of your accident might give your insurance company the incentive to move things along.
Considering the negative repercussions of overlooking critical medical care after a crash, it makes more sense to accept treatment even if you do not see its necessity right away. Your decision could have a life-changing impact on your long-term health.