It can be easy to take our safety for granted when we get into our cars. We wear our seatbelts, drive the speed limit and check our tires regularly. Still, no amount of safety precautions can protect us from the reckless driving of others.
Even if we get into what we would consider a “minor” car accident, it’s wise to get checked by a doctor. Motor vehicle accidents are the primary cause of neck injuries, and they can often result in chronic pain and long-term injuries. You may be surprised to know that over 800,000 cases of motor vehicle accidents involving neck injuries are reported annually in the U.S.
Doctors may catch injuries that you can’t feel yet
Getting into a car accident can be such a hassle that by the time you’re finished with the police report, towing and adrenaline rush, you might just want to go home and forget about it. Yet oftentimes, symptoms of neck injuries don’t manifest until days or weeks after an accident.
Getting in to see a doctor and undergo imaging or testing might help identify problems before they become serious concerns. If left untreated, not only could debilitating symptoms such as neck and back pain, headaches and cognitive issues arise, but the lack of medical care evidence could make it difficult to seek recovery of medical treatment costs and lost wages down the road.
Due to the risk of neck injuries causing serious long-term complications if not diagnosed and treated early on, it’s important to contact your PCP or a specialist soon after your accident, even if you aren’t injured to the point of needing a trip to the hospital. If you require ongoing treatments such as chiropractic care, pain medications and even surgeries, it will be important to have the necessary documentation as you pursue personal injury litigation.