Medical treatment or at least a medical evaluation is typically necessary after a motor vehicle collision. However, many drivers already delayed by a collision decide that they don’t want to stop at the doctor’s office next.
People can come up with dozens of excuses about why they don’t see a physician after a collision, ranging from needing to pick their children up from school to an unforgiving boss. If you have been in a crash significant enough to cause injuries to other people or severe damage to your vehicle, seeing a doctor to rule out the worst possible injuries is often a smart decision.
Why is it so important for people to see a doctor after a car crash?
Some of the worst injuries aren’t immediately obvious
You could suffer a potentially life-altering injury at a crash and not realize it until hours or maybe days later. Traumatic brain injuries and internal bleeding may not cause noticeable symptoms immediately after a wreck.
It could be several days before people notice bruising, dizziness or other signs that they have a potentially serious injury. Delaying diagnosis could affect someone’s chances of recovery or limit what treatment options they have.
Seeing a doctor will help protect you at work
If you do have an unforgiving or demanding employer, then proper medical evaluation protects you. It will be easier for you to arrange time off without career consequences or seek other accommodations, like adjusted job responsibilities, with a formal diagnosis of your injuries.
Once you have a physician’s note indicating there are limitations on what work you can perform or necessitating a leave of absence, you will have protection from discrimination based on your medical condition.
It is easier to get insurance coverage when you see a doctor soon after a crash
The longer you delay a medical evaluation after a crash, the easier it will be for the insurance company to claim you suffered an injury elsewhere or exacerbated your condition by failing to seek a diagnosis in a timely manner.
Even if you don’t have great medical coverage, the motor vehicle insurance of the driver at fault for the wreck should typically cover your medical expenses rather than your personal health insurance.
Seeing a doctor after a car crash actually protects you from financial losses, career consequences and possibly worsening medical symptoms. Knowing that could convince you to get care rather than avoiding it as an unnecessary expense.