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Dr. Mark Hosko, MD, January 6 2023

Should I Go To Urgent Care After A Car Accident?

Learn When You Should Go To Urgent Care After Suffering Injuries From A Car Accident

If you are involved in a car accident, you should get treatment as soon as possible. If you do not have any visible evidence of injury or suffering, you should seek medical attention immediately. You can get an accurate diagnosis and the appropriate treatment at an urgent care center. After your mishap, do not be afraid to see an urgent care clinic. Get answers to your pertinent questions here, preferably before you need the information. 

Should I go to urgent care after a car accident?

People who have been wounded in an automobile accident have three options for seeking medical help. First, the person can visit an emergency room, a primary care physician, or an urgent care center. If the injuries are severe enough, an ambulance will be dispatched to transport the victim to the emergency room. 

When someone's life or limb is in jeopardy, this department should be called in. The doctor's office is a viable option for minor or moderate injuries. If the incident occurs on a weekend, late at night, or on a holiday when the doctor's office is closed, the patient can be treated at an urgent care facility. 

Save the emergency room for threats to life or limb. Not only are emergency rooms more expensive, but they also do not see patients as quickly if the issue does not affect life or limb. Urgent care makes the better option for minor injuries. 

When should you go to urgent care after a car accident?

Go to urgent care as soon after the accident occurs as possible. Some people may not want to add to the stress of a car accident by seeking treatment for auto injuries. Others may choose to suffer in silence or may not believe that seeing a doctor is necessary. On the other hand, certain injury symptoms can worsen with time, while others may not appear at all until days or weeks later. 

It is more effective to seek treatment as soon as possible rather than waiting until the injury has worsened. Obtaining a diagnosis and treatment will also expedite the insurance claim process. This is also necessary if the victim intends to hire a lawyer and file a personal injury case.

Should I go to urgent care for whiplash?

If you realize you have whiplash, you might not know where to go for treatment. For injuries such as lacerations, broken bones, or life-threatening injuries, always go to the emergency room or urgent care. Whiplash should also be treated in urgent care. They may give pain relievers or muscle relaxants in the best-case scenario at an emergency room. However, this will not help you recover from your whiplash injury. Instead, seek out urgent care first and a chiropractor after normal business hours.

Chiropractors are trained specialists in the adjustment of the spine and are licensed, chiropractors. They are the best doctors for whiplash treatment.

Specialists will take x-rays of your spine and offer a dedicated treatment plan. On the other hand, Whiplash treatment usually entails spine adjustments, massage therapy, and, in some situations, physical therapy.

Should I see a doctor after a minor car accident?

After a minor collision, you should still consult a doctor since injuries are nevertheless prevalent, if not inevitable, in low-speed car accidents that cause little to no damage to the vehicles. This is because people rarely notice an accident coming before being struck, leaving them with little time to prepare and brace for contact. 

As a result, we always recommend seeing a competent physician or chiropractor after a car accident to ensure you do not have any underlying injuries that are not yet causing symptoms due to the release of adrenaline. Even if the accident was minor, it is a good idea to have a medical professional check you out to make sure you weren't hurt.

How long does it take for injuries to show up after a car accident?

Car accident injuries normally show up right away, but some can take days or even weeks to show up. A life-threatening injury can deteriorate for weeks in rare cases before a person recognizes it was caused by a recent vehicle accident. This is because some injuries, such as those to the internal organs, may not have obvious symptoms. Occasionally, people confuse a symptom with a minor condition. 

Additionally, the type of injury impacts how long symptoms can occur following a car collision. Another type of injury that might occur after a car accident is one that has delayed symptoms. While these scenarios are uncommon, they can be life-threatening in some cases. 

For example, a seemingly small injury could result in an infection or organ failure that takes three to four weeks to emerge. After a car accident, signs of brain bleeding and brain damage might take a long time to show. Some sufferers may mistake a slight indication of a brain bleed for a passing headache, worsening their situation the longer they wait for medical help.

What should you not do after a car accident?

First, you should not leave the scene of an accident, especially without calling emergency services. Next, you should not underestimate your injuries and go see a doctor even if you do not think you are injured to rule out internal issues that may not have present symptoms. Finally, do not allow the other person’s insurance access to your medical records, as they can use this against you to reduce claims. Contact a lawyer as soon as possible so they can help to document medical issues. 

Never wait to seek medical attention after an accident. Do not miss any appointments, as this can hurt your case against the other person’s insurance. Additionally, be completely honest with your doctor about your medical history so they can properly treat you. Avoid talking to your doctor about your legal case, but do tell them all the medical symptoms you have experienced since the accident. Lastly, do not stop medical treatment until your doctor suggests you stop and keep written documentation. 

How do you know if you have internal injuries from a car accident?

In many cases, the person will show no signs or symptoms of internal bleeding and may refuse medical help. That is why bleeding is so dangerous: the injury, which is unseen and undiscovered, will continue to bleed. The circulatory system will continue to bleed blood, depriving the body of oxygen and nutrition while allowing wastes to collect. The victim's blood pressure eventually lowers to the point that he can no longer stay aware, and he may die before emergency medical help arrives. 

Internal bleeding symptoms can be faint at first, but they can become more noticeable over time. The indications will also differ based on the location of the bleeding and the extent of the blood loss. However, everyone should be aware of the following common indicators of internal blood loss. 

Symptoms can include swelling or pain in the abdomen, severe fatigue, blood in stool or urine, nausea, vomiting blood, deep purple bruises, pale complexion, excessive coldness, dizziness, fainting, headache, low blood pressure, or loss of consciousness. Internal injuries can occur in the form of broken ribs, collapsed lungs, organ damage, ruptured spleen or abdominal aorta, brain injury, and internal bleeding. Furthermore, internal injuries can include pain that should not be ignored. 

How long can injuries last after a car accident?

Depending on the degree of the injuries sustained, pain after a vehicle accident might endure weeks, months, or even years. The timeframe depends on the level of injury. Damage to the brain, limb, spinal cord and internal organs can increase the timeframe dramatically. Seek medical attention immediately to prevent further damage that could add time to the recovery process. 

By seeking medical attention immediately, you may be able to prevent the severity of injuries. Urgent care can get you immediate help and determine if you need emergency surgery to remove or reduce medical injuries. 

Why choose Portland Urgent Care for car accident injuries?

At Portland Urgent Care, you can walk in, make an appointment, and utilize telemedicine to meet your medical requirements. Bone fractures, sprains, lacerations, torn muscles, cuts, and contusions are just a few of the ailments we can help with after a car accident. Lacerations, skin biopsies, burn therapy, foreign body removal, and x-rays are among the surgical procedures available at our clinic. A chiropractor on staff can also assist you in regaining your health. 

We also work with a number of insurance carriers and provide payment plans to our clients. We're open on weekends, holidays, Saturdays, and Sundays since bike accidents don't just happen during business hours on weekdays. We provide the care you need when you need it in a compassionate and high-quality manner to get you healthy.

Conclusion

There's no reason to live with the consequences of an automobile accident. Rather, go to the nearest urgent care center and get the help you require. Whether your injuries are slight or severe, you must be comfortable with your health and well-being. You will be able to continue your daily routine without pain and discomfort as a result of this medical treatment. These centers do not require an appointment, so go as soon as possible following your accident.

At Portland Urgent Care, we can help you to cope with the symptoms of a traumatic injury along with treatment with a vast staff of medical experts. You do not need to be in pain when we are here to help with all your medical needs. Call today and schedule an appointment.

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Written by

Dr. Mark Hosko, MD

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