Don't Ignore the Pain: 3 Reasons to See a Doctor After a Car Accident

Car accidents can be terrifying. Many people feel lucky to walk away from them, not to mention lucky to be alive. But it's very common to be injured in a car accident, and the plain truth is you might not even realize you’ve been injured until later. This is precisely why you should never ignore the pain you experience post-accident, even if it seems minor. 

Here at Injury and Health Urgent Care, we work with you to make sure you have the care you need after an accident. Melissa Kempf, MD, Shannon Wait, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, would advise you never to ignore pain. 

In fact, it’s their mission to see patients as soon as possible after an accident to ensure they receive the necessary care quickly.  

3 reasons you shouldn’t ignore pain after an accident

Consider these factors when deciding whether seek medical help after an accident: 

1. Minor aches and pains could worsen down the line 

If you walk away from a car accident with a few scrapes and bruises, thinking, “Wow, that could’ve been so much worse!” there’s still a possibility your discomfort could worsen later. 

Pain that seems bearable — or even nonexistent — after a car accident can come back full force as you continue through the following days and weeks. 

Why does this happen? One reason is the adrenaline rush your body produces during and immediately after an accident. Studies have shown this flood of adrenaline can mask pain, deferring its actual intensity to later. 

Additionally, you might experience inflammation after an accident, another natural reaction that can worsen discomfort while increasing pain sensitivity.  

Also, your relief at having survived the accident might cause you to ignore pain, making it something you put on the back burner until later. But if you wait, you’ll likely be dealing with more serious pain.

Delaying medical care handicaps their ability to treat you and help you receive any necessary compensation. 

2. Pain is often a sign of an underlying issue

Minor aches, stiffness, or bruising typically decrease with rest and time. However, in many cases, the discomfort experienced after an accident signals that something more serious is going on. 

Treatment for muscle strains, whiplash, or nerve damage is more complex when delayed. Putting off a visit also makes it harder for providers to document accurately. And for post-accident trauma, documentation is everything.

The last thing you want is to find out weeks or months later that you actually sustained a serious injury during your crash. Additionally, the injury is only likely to worsen the longer it goes untreated. 

3. Pain isn’t always physical 

If you’re not in physical pain following an accident, you may think everything’s fine. But signs of emotional and mental distress can occur hours, days, or weeks later. 

Often, brushing off a serious event like a car accident can mean you’re ignoring emotional trauma. This can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). 

PTSD can affect your entire life, from causing you to become angry, depressed, or hopeless to chronic pain disorders to reliving the traumatic event in flashbacks. 

Discussing your emotional response to the accident with a medical provider right away can ease the discomfort and may help prevent worsening PTSD. If necessary, we can also help ensure you receive timely and effective mental health assistance. 

Get help for pain after an accident

Trust us; there is no ache too minor or bruise too insignificant after an accident. We provide thorough examinations to help our patients obtain the medical and financial assistance they need. 

To make an appointment at our office in San Antonio, Texas, visit us online or call today.