A car accident can leave you shocked and not making good decisions, even if you feel clearheaded. The adrenaline surging through your body can mask or minimize pain or signs of serious injury, leading you to dismiss them and write off the accident as an inconvenience.
That would be a mistake, as you could have a herniated disc or worse.
At CHOICE Pain & Rehabilitation Center, with multiple locations in Maryland and Delaware, our specialists examine you immediately after a car accident, looking for soft tissue injuries such as whiplash that are easy to ignore.
We document your injuries for insurance purposes, create a treatment plan, and help you through the aftermath of your crash.
If you’re in an accident, even just a fender bender, don’t panic. Instead, take the following steps to protect your health and finances.
If anyone is bleeding or otherwise hurt, call 911 for immediate medical care. Try not to move anyone who may have a neck or back injury. Stay calm and get help on the way.
Even if there’s no major damage, if you’re going to report the accident to your insurance company, you need a police report. That can also help ensure you get all necessary information from other drivers or witnesses on the scene.
You need to talk to the other driver(s) if possible, but don’t admit any fault or assume responsibility. Just get their personal and insurance details, as well as the names and phone numbers of any bystanders.
Don’t skip this step even if you get medical attention at the scene or go to the ER. You can miss things right after an accident, especially if you aren’t in a lot of pain at the time.
Getting checked out at our office lets us determine if you have any hidden injuries. We complete a thorough examination to look for any damage that hasn’t revealed itself.
If you don’t link any injuries directly to your accident as quickly as possible, you could end up on the financial hook for treatment for years, or suffer loss of mobility or physical disability due to conditions triggered by an accident, like chronic widespread pain.
When you don’t identify an injury for weeks or months after an accident, your insurance company might accept a settlement that only covers damage to your vehicle. You could miss out on a deal that also covers medical treatment or pain and suffering caused by the accident.
If you’re in a car accident, don’t wait to act. Call us today to schedule your visit to CHOICE Pain & Rehabilitation Center, or request an appointment online.
