How Soon Should You See a Doctor After an Auto Accident?

An auto accident can happen at any time. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, over six million traffic accidents occur every year. Would you know what to do if you were involved in one? Even with collisions occurring so frequently, the guidelines on when to see a doctor are not always clear-cut.

First Things First: Do You Need Emergency Medical Attention?

Certain situations absolutely warrant an immediate trip to the nearest hospital emergency room. These include head and spinal trauma, uncontrollable bleeding, and difficulty breathing. What’s more, tensions can run high after an auto accident, so it’s important to pause, take a breath, and evaluate the level of pain you’re feeling. In general, it’s best to go to an ER if you have any pain in your neck or substantial discomfort in any other part of your body.

A low-speed collision that doesn’t deploy airbags or significantly damage the vehicles involved might seem inconsequential at first, but you could still have serious injuries, such as a concussion or a herniated spinal disc. It is possible to sustain head, neck, or spinal trauma even at a relatively low speed, especially if you didn’t have time to brace your body for the impact.

When to Seek Urgent Medical Care

Muscle strains, body aches, and general stiffness are common after an auto accident, but a trip to an ER may be unnecessary. Even so, it is still a good idea to seek medical attention for these types of injuries from a primary care provider or urgent care center. Also, consider that the surge of adrenaline you experience after an accident could be masking some of your pain, and these effects could linger for several hours.

Finally, the aftermath of an auto accident can be stressful and scary. If you feel fine at the time but experience discomfort a few hours later, you should seek medical attention right away.

If you need nonemergency medical care after an auto accident, come to South Tampa Immediate Care at 602 South Howard Avenue in Tampa, FL. You are welcome to contact us or stop by any time you would like to consult with a doctor about minor auto injury treatment or another non-life-threatening health issue.