If you have been involved in a motor vehicle accident, the first thing you need to do is assess your surroundings and see if there are any catastrophic injuries. Then, if you can do so, exit the car safely and move to a safe location. You need to call 911 as quickly as possible to get emergency personnel on the scene. If you have been involved in a car accident in Florida, they will probably ask you about the number of vehicles involved and whether you need EMS to come to the scene. No matter how you feel, you always need first responders to come to the scene and take a look at you (and the other people involved).
It is not unusual for someone to feel “fine” after a car accident, but should you still see a doctor even if you feel fine? The answer is yes, and there are a few key reasons why.
Why You Might Feel Fine – Even If You’re Hurt
First, it is important to understand why you might feel fine following a motor vehicle accident, even if you have gotten hurt. When you are involved in a stressful situation, your body enters into “fight or flight” mode. Clearly, a motor vehicle accident qualifies as a stressful situation, so there will be a lot of adrenaline (the fight or flight chemical) going through your body.
When there is adrenaline going through your body, your body is doing everything it can to give you the energy you need to deal with a stressful situation. That means that even if you have gotten hurt, the adrenaline will prevent you from feeling those symptoms, which makes it easier for you to respond in a critical situation.
This is an evolutionary response that was more important when people were running from lions and tigers. It might not necessarily be needed in a motor vehicle accident, but it can help you exit the vehicle even if you have gotten hurt. On the other hand, it can also make it harder for you to notice if you have suffered an injury. That is why, even if you feel fine, you need to go to the doctor as quickly as possible.
Why You Must Get a Diagnosis as Quickly as Possible
A lot of people will instinctively go to the ER following an injury. It is a good idea to head to the emergency room following a motor vehicle accident because you need to get a diagnosis as quickly as possible. An ER doctor sees a lot of motor vehicle accident injuries on a daily basis, so they have the training necessary to identify serious injuries and help you develop a treatment plan. You should also see if the ER doctor will give you a few scans to make sure that nothing is overlooked.
Now, if you have very serious injuries, the doctor might decide to admit you to the hospital or schedule a surgical procedure right away to help you recover. On the other hand, a lot of people are discharged from the ER pretty quickly following a motor vehicle accident. As a result, you might think that the process is done if the ER doctor says you are fine; however, just because you are sent home from the ER doesn’t mean you haven’t suffered an injury.
Why You Need To See a Car Accident Injury Specialist
Once you leave the ER, you need to make sure that you complete the recovery process. When you wake up the morning after a motor vehicle accident, there is a good chance that you will feel very sore, even if you don’t have any “serious” injuries. Now that the adrenaline has worn off, there is a good chance that other symptoms could show up, causing great discomfort.
You need to see someone who specializes in car accident injuries. Not every doctor has the training and experience necessary to make sure that all injuries are properly diagnosed and treated. Furthermore, you need to work with someone who can help you limit possible complications and side effects. Just because you are hurt doesn’t mean you need to take prescription medications. If you work with someone who specializes in injuries that stem from a motor vehicle accident, you can maximize your chances of making a full recovery while minimizing your chances of developing complications and side effects.
Common Car Accident Injuries You Might Suffer
If you have been involved in a motor vehicle accident, there are a few examples of injuries that you might suffer. Some of the most common examples include:
- Whiplash: This takes place when rapid changes in momentum lead to a sprain of the cervical ligaments in your neck. When your neck moves from side to side quickly, you could suffer a loss of range of motion in your neck and develop significant soreness. A car accident doctor can help you treat this condition.
- A Herniated Disc: If your chest flies forward following a motor vehicle collision, you could place a significant amount of stress on the lumbar region in your back, which could lead to a herniated disc. The most common location for a herniated disc is between L3 and L4 or between L4 and L5. You might feel shooting pains in your legs in addition to lower back pain. A car accident doctor can help you address this condition.
- A PCL Sprain: You might also develop a PCL sprain if you strike your knee on the dashboard. A car accident doctor can take a look at your knee, identify the severity of the sprain, and help you develop a treatment plan.
These are just a few examples of the many injuries that you might suffer if you have been involved in a motor vehicle accident. If you want to put yourself in the best position to recover while limiting possible side effects in Florida, you should work with Doctor Wagner. Let us help you recover.
Contact Doctor Wagner for Help Following a Car Accident in Florida
Clearly, it is important for you to see a car accident doctor following a motor vehicle collision in Florida. There might be injuries underneath the surface that you cannot identify immediately, and you need to work with a doctor who can make sure those injuries are diagnosed and treated effectively. If you would like to work with the best auto accident doctor in Florida, reach out to Doctor Wagner today. We have a tremendous amount of experience treating a wide variety of car accidents, and it would be our pleasure to help you as well. Contact us today to make an appointment!