If you are involved in a minor car accident that does not involve a serious injury, you may be tempted to avoid going to the doctor. You may feel a little sore for a few days but assume that you will be fine. When the soreness continues, you may then wonder: At what point do I need to seek medical care? Keep reading to find out and then contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 if you need to talk to an experienced personal injury attorney.
Some Soreness Lasts Days but Others Can Last for Weeks or Months
You may feel soreness and general discomfort for a day or two after the accident. As long as the pain is not serious enough that it is preventing you from living your normal life, and as long as the pain is helped by over the counter pain medications, you may not need the help of a medical professional.
That said, some pain can last for as long as six weeks after an accident. If you waited that full six weeks to get medical care, the problem could have become much more serious in that time – and you likely will have lost your ability to sue that at-fault driver because their insurance company will argue that you could have received the injuries at any point in the six weeks after the accident.
There Are a Number of Injuries That Can Cause Soreness
In this day and age of online medical sites, many people try to diagnose their own injuries. This is not the best way to determine what you are dealing with. There are many different injuries that have the potential to cause injury. There are many tests your doctor may use, including x-rays, MRIs, and range of motion tests. Some of the injuries they are looking for include:
- Whiplash
- Torn ligaments
- Hairline fractures
- Soft tissue injuries
- Sprained tendons and joints
- Disc injuries
These injuries can all present as relatively minor injuries but get worse as time goes on. It is best to contact your doctor sooner rather than later so that they can determine the extent of your injuries and how to treat them.
Reach Out to an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney As Soon as Possible
In addition to seeking immediate medical care, you should also talk to a personal injury attorney. If the accident was even partially the fault of someone else, then they should be held accountable. You can reach out to Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas for a free legal consultation. We will review your claim and determine you’re your best options are. Call us now at 909-982-0707 to get started.
