Here’s Why It’s So Important to Seek Medical Care After an Accident — Even if You Feel Fine

Getting into a car accident is often terrifying, and it’s normal to be relieved if you feel fine afterward. But even those who believe they’re safe and well after an accident should still seek medical care.

Injury and Health Urgent Care offers all the typical post-accident care options, including diagnostic tests, discussing your symptoms, and providing treatment. We even help you determine which forms to fill out and how to find legal representation. It’s important to us to provide well-rounded care for our patients who have been through a harrowing experience.  

Our providers, Melissa Kempf, MD, and Shannon Wait, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, want to give you the best options post-accident to recover safely. It all starts with visiting your local urgent care clinic, even if you think you’re fine. 

Feeling fine after an accident doesn’t mean you are 

Thinking you’re not hurt after you walk away from a car accident doesn’t mean it’s true. 

Unfortunately, the adrenaline you experience after a stressful situation can mask the symptoms that might allow you to recognize something is wrong, like pain or discomfort. 

You might not notice these until a few days after your accident. If so, you could fail to put two and two together. Trust us; it happens more often than you’d think. 

Failing to get an evaluation can affect coverage

Insurance companies help cover the aftereffects of a car accident and other sudden injuries. Sadly, many companies will deny claims if made too late after the initial accident occurred. 

This means that if you wait a week or longer to get diagnosed with an accident-related issue, your insurance company might not cover treatment. 

At our clinic, we help patients get the care they need and advise them on how best to handle their insurance claims. 

We offer options like assistance filling out insurance paperwork and advice on when to look for legal representation. After all, we believe in helping our patients throughout the entire accident recovery process. 

Not getting treatment right away can make the situation worse  

You may feel fine now, but it’s common for people to feel good after an accident and then experience side effects later on. 

If this does occur, it can lead to worsening of the injury, which may be harder to treat than if you’d gotten a medical evaluation immediately after your accident. 

In addition, avoiding an evaluation early on can also open the door for other issues, such as prolonged use of pain medication, decreased mobility, and chronic pain. 

A small problem can become severe without the proper diagnosis and treatment, and without a medical provider’s records, getting treatment — and coverage — will often be more challenging. 

Should I always go to the doctor after an accident?

It may surprise you, but it’s always better to see a medical provider after a car accident. You can visit your primary physician or an urgent care facility like ours in San Antonio, Texas. An evaluation ensures you have everything documented — even if you feel fine.

We’re happy to discuss any of your needs and to give you a complete evaluation after your accident. Call today or visit us online to make your appointment.