Victims of a car accident may be told to see a doctor to have an examination. But what type of doctor should you see after a car accident? If you are facing a life-threatening situation, such as due to bleeding or loss of consciousness, going to the emergency room is critical. However, most cases do not lead to this. For that reason, you want to seek the right type of medical provider for your injuries. A Newnan car accident lawyer will be able to answer all of your questions.
Treatment Right Away Is Important
After a car accident, your most important priority is to get treatment right away. Internal injuries after a car accident are not always noticeable – you may not even have pain right away. However, injuries such as organ damage, internal bleeding, whiplash, and muscle damage can take hours or longer to show up. If you wait too long, you suffer a serious risk of complications. In these cases, get to any medical care provider possible.
Consider the Various Types of Treatment Available to You
In every situation, err on the side of caution. Go where you can get care as soon as you need it. Some examples include:
- Emergency room doctors for any type of life-threatening or potentially complex situation
- Urgent care doctors for broken bones and contusions
- Primary care doctors for follow-ups after bumps and bruises
- Medical specialists, when recommended for advanced care, such as a surgeon or neurologist
- Mental health professionals to deal with the emotional aftermath of a car accident
Signs You Should Go to the Emergency Room After a Car Accident
There are some situations where you should not wait but should go to the emergency room immediately for the care you need. Some of the most important indications of when this is necessary include:
- Any time you hit your head
- Loss of consciousness, even for a short amount of time
- Broken bones or fractures
- Vomiting after an accident
- Tenderness or bruising on your abdomen, chest, or other tissues
- Any indication of bleeding that does not stop from a wound within a few seconds
- Severe pain
- Disorientation
- Spinal cord injury
- Neck injuries
- Visible injuries that are deep and likely to need surgery
- Eye injuries
You may not know what all of your injuries are just yet. If you can get to the emergency room, make that your priority. Remember that if another person caused your injuries due to their negligence, you are not going to pay out of your own pocket for this care. For those areas, it is best to simply seek medical care that is readily available to you without concern for cost.
When to Call 911
After a car accident, it is always beneficial to contact 911. We recommend it even if you do not have serious noticeable injuries just yet. You will need medical care for any type of injury related to bleeding or loss of mobility. However, the medics that arrive at the scene can give you insight into the type of medical care you need based on the injuries and the situation. Use their guidance to help you determine what type of additional care you need.
In every situation, focus on getting any care. The sooner you do, the more you protect yourself from further injury and even life-threatening complications to your well-being.