Don’t Ignore Minor Injuries; Always Seek Medical Care

According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, 30% of people avoid doctors and medical treatment, which is a significant number of people. After a car accident, you might be tempted to wait and see whether your pain or stiffness goes away on its own. However, this is a mistake.

If you wait to seek medical care, you can jeopardize your health and legal rights to compensation from insurers. First, see a medical professional; then, speak with a St. Petersburg car accident attorney for help.

Minor Injuries Can Worsen If Ignored

While some injuries and illnesses do heal naturally on their own, the majority of injuries do worsen if untreated. Here are some common injuries that might worsen over time and often occur due to accidents like car crashes or slip and falls:

• Chest and abdomen impact - Did an airbag explode into your chest? Did a seatbelt snap quickly across your ribs and stomach? Just because you aren’t bleeding on the outside doesn’t mean you might not be bleeding internally. Internal bleeding does not improve when untreated at home, and you need diagnostic testing to identify it.
• Head injuries - Have you heard of post-concussion syndrome? This serious condition develops, for example, when an otherwise mild head injury doesn’t heal properly. Delayed symptoms are common with brain injuries, and without a prompt diagnosis, your condition might get much worse. Some of the potentially lifelong symptoms you might live with from an untreated or undiagnosed head injury include unexplained nausea and vomiting, dizziness, insomnia, painful headaches, and cognitive impairments.
• Whiplash - Whiplash is a very common injury from car accidents, though it is also a complicated neck injury. As time passes after the accident, your neck tries to heal itself, which results in stiffness and swelling that can be completely debilitating. Without proper treatment, whiplash can lead to jaw pain, cervical vertigo, tinnitus, and even speech impediments. Due to the ligament, tendon, and muscle damage that occurs with whiplash, doctors may even prescribe regenerative medication.
• Animal attacks infections - If a rabid dog bites you, the symptoms won’t appear right away. Even if the dog owner has assured you that the dog is free of rabies, it is prudent, due to the deadly nature of rabies, to get treatment immediately. An ER doctor can administer a rabies shot just to be safe, but this treatment must be done within a limited amount of time. Likewise, a condition called Cat Scratch Disease can also be fatal, according to the CDC.

Consult with a St. Petersburg Car Accident Attorney

Do not allow the concern of medical bills to prevent you from seeking medical care following a crash. You can seek insurance coverage for your losses, but this process is not always simple. That’s where our car accident lawyers come in.

We are Tragos, Sartes & Tragos, a St. Petersburg team of personal injury lawyers, and we help car accident victims seek financial compensation. Call (727) 441-9125 to set up a free, no-obligation consultation. You can also reach out via our contact form.