Your life can change drastically after a car crash. These happen when you least expect them to. One minute, you’re driving down the road on your way home or to work, and the next, someone has run their car into yours. When this happens, there are two things that you need to do immediately: stop your vehicle (if yours is still able to move) and call the authorities.

After You Alert the Authorities

Once members of your local police force arrive on the scene, they’ll take an accident report and statements from witnesses. They’ll also offer to call an ambulance for you. Even if you aren’t visibly injured, you should go to the hospital to get checked out. It’s always a good idea to have this as a part of your accident documentation, should you need it later. In fact, you might also have the option of heading to the hospital on your own – not in an ambulance. Either way, you need to go and have a thorough examination done.

Sudden Stop Injuries Can Be Dangerous

Why is it so important to head to the hospital after a car crash? The number one reason is that those sudden stop injuries can be very dangerous. Some of the most common car crash-related injuries include whiplash, internal bleeding, skull, and other bone fractures, and even concussions. While a good number of these injuries will be obvious on the scene, such as the bone fractures and lacerations, others won’t be completely visible until later on.

Obviously, if you have a visible injury that needs to be treated immediately, you should head straight to the hospital after the crash. Allow the police to call that ambulance for you. But what about those non-visible injuries? What should you do? The answer is simple – go and get examined by a medical professional.

Injuries Can Show Up Later

Did you know that some injuries can appear hours after the crash? Things like bumps and bruises can take some time to appear, and while they may not be harmful, other injuries, including brain contusions and internal bleeding, can be. The sooner you get examined, the better.

You’ve more than likely heard stories about people getting bumped on the head and then refusing treatment because they feel “okay.” Then, hours later, their health is in serious jeopardy due to a brain injury. You don’t want to end up as one of these statistics, so get head to the hospital right away, no matter how you feel after the accident has occurred.

Other Injuries Are Less Obvious

On top of the many possible physical injuries are the psychological ones. Did you know that serious auto accidents can cause issues like PTSD and anxiety? If you’ve ever been around someone with a fear of driving a car on the freeway or being in traffic after an accident, then you’d understand that these psychological effects can be debilitating. Although they may not be able to treat you at the emergency room for these issues, by going there, you are starting the process of documenting your post-accident health. This will help should you need a lawyer.

Documentation Must Be Done

This documentation is very important. By getting an examination after the accident, you are putting things in motion. The doctor that you speak to will take notes about the car crash, including how and where your body was physically jostled during the incident. The thorough exam that takes place will document any physical bumps and bruises, as well as things like lacerations and chipped bones. If you have the signs of a more serious injury, you will receive treatment right there. However, if your injuries take some time to appear, then the record of your accident will be in the system and you can connect your future treatments back to it. This provides you – and your attorney – with a thorough record should you need to sue the driver who was at fault.

If You Are In a Car Crash

If you have been in a car crash, please call me. I will go to meet you and discuss your case, or you can make an appointment to meet with me in my office. We’ll go over the accident, including all records (both from the police and the hospital), in order to document just how much your life has been affected by the accident. It’s my job to help you get the justice that you deserve. I’ll Make Them Pay!®