When To Seek Medical Attention For Personal Injury

When to Seek Medical Attention

Pain, numbness, and dizziness are all signs of personal injury that can occur immediately after an accident or appear several days or even weeks later.

Therefore, when seeking medical attention after a personal injury, it's important to see a doctor as soon as possible. The longer you wait after the auto accident, the more difficult it will be to prove that any injuries you sustained were the result of the car crash. Do not attempt to "sleep it off" or "wait and see" if your injuries are worth a doctor's visit.

While you're waiting to see the doctor, take pictures of any bruises, cuts, scrapes, or other visible injuries. Don't worry about the quality of the pictures, photos snapped on your cell phone are fine if you don't have a dedicated digital camera nearby. If there is a problem with your personal injury auto claim or you decide to take legal action against a negligent driver, the photos will be excellent evidence for your case.

Once you see your doctor, be sure to document medical expenses―both immediate and ongoing―as evidence for the car insurance company or any other party related to your claim.

Personal Injury Precautions for Parents

If you are a parent, you should always have your child examined by a medical professional after an auto accident. Young children can't communicate their feelings very well, so relying on your child to tell you what is wrong isn't the best course of action.

Even if your child seems fine, symptoms of personal injury may not be immediately apparent. Because children are still growing and developing, it's no surprise that car accidents are the leading cause of acquired disability for people younger than 18.

NOTE: After a car accident, remember that you will also need to have your child's car seat or booster seat replaced. Even if the device shows no signs of visible damage, the force of the impact could have caused small cracks in the material.

Auto Accidents and Pregnant Women

Car accidents are frightening regardless of when they occur, but a crash can be especially traumatic for a pregnant woman. Miscarriage, pre-term labor, and placental abruption are a concern after an auto accident, even if you feel fine at first. Seeking a medical evaluation is always recommended if you are pregnant and involved in an auto accident with personal injury.

Depending on the severity of the accident and how far along your are in your pregnancy, your doctor will tell you what the best course of action is. However, you should always be on the lookout for the following symptoms after a car accident:

• Loss of consciousness.

• Vaginal bleeding.

• Pain in the abdomen.

• Faintness or dizziness.

• Vomiting.

• Not being able to feel the baby move.