Should You See a Doctor After a Minor Auto Accident?

The number of fatalities from Georgia car accidents has increased in recent years. In 2015, 1,430 fatalities took place on Georgia roadways, according to data compiled by Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety. In 2014, that number was only 1,164.

Most accidents that take place in the state are relatively minor and result in minimal injuries. However, it is still paramount for you to see a doctor after any auto collision, even if you do not think it was that severe. It is always preferable to play it safe than sorry.

Treatment of hidden injuries

Injuries after a car accident are not always readily apparent. You may not always receive a wound you can see. In many cases, especially when a person has experienced whiplash, it can take days or even a week or two for serious symptoms to show up. Doctors have numerous tools at their disposal to take a comprehensive look at your body to see if anything is wrong. In the event something lurks beneath the surface, then your doctor can treat it sooner. All you need to do is inform the doctors you were in a car accident, and they will know precisely what tests to perform.

Easier time with insurance claim

Going off of the concept of hidden injuries, the wounds you sustain after a car accident will play an impact in your insurance claims process. If you see a doctor immediately afterward, then you get an official medical report detailing what happened to you and what treatments are necessary to make you better.

Your insurance company will have a harder time denying your claim if there is a definitive link between your injuries and the collision. However, if you wait even just a couple of weeks, then the insurance company may not have to pay your medical bills. After two weeks, it is tougher to prove any medical problems occurred as a direct result of the car crash.