When to see a doctor after a car accident

If you’ve ever been in a car accident, you know the damage it can cause - both to your vehicle and to your body. In some cases, the damage is hidden, which is why you should always consult a doctor following a car accident.

Have you been in a car accident? Here are 5 points to remember:

1. See your doctor or visit a walk-in clinic after a car accident.

After a car accident, your body will be flooded with adrenaline and endorphins. You may not feel any pain at first, but that doesn’t mean you weren’t injured. It’s important to have a physician examine you for injuries.

2. Do not dismiss pain or discomfort.

A trained physician will see injuries, and potential injuries, better than you do. A mistake many car accident victims make is brushing off any pain or discomfort as caused by stress or just a common ailment. Do not self-diagnose or explain away your symptoms after a car accident. Only a physician can confirm whether or not your symptoms were caused by the crash.

3. See a doctor within a few days of the accident.

Pain and discomfort may not manifest until days or weeks after an accident. See a professional within a few days of the accident to assess any injuries from the accident and give advice on monitoring symptoms of potential injuries.

Many victims wait to see if the pain will go away before seeing a doctor after a car accident. It’s crucial to have any pain or discomfort assessed by a physician as soon as possible to ensure it’s not a serious injury and to start treatment if necessary.

4. Document your medical treatment.

If you do make an insurance claim, it’s important to document the fact that you sought medical treatment within a reasonable amount of time following the accident. If you wait to seek medical attention, insurance may assume “you weren’t that hurt” as a result of the crash.

5. No car accident is too small.

Even after minor accidents that leave little to no damage to the vehicles involved, it’s important to see a physician. You don’t often see an accident coming, meaning you’re unable to brace or prepare for the impact. Passengers can sustain soft tissue injuries - like whiplash - even in low-impact collisions.

The key point to remember: see a doctor. You’ll save yourself time, energy and pain by having your injuries assessed and a course of treatment started immediately after a car accident.

TriMedical physicians specialize in car accident injury assessment and treatment. If you’ve been in a car accident, book an appointment or take advantage of our walk-in injury assessment centre in Surrey, BC. We are also offering phone assessments for car accident injuries during COVID-19. Speak to a physician today.