In the United States each year, 2.5 million people are seriously injured in automobile crashes. The number of those that experience minor injuries is even higher.
Even when there is not much damage to the car, drivers or passengers can be hurt. Whiplash and back injuries are very common as a result of collisions.
Here are the top reasons why you need a back exam if you are involved in a crash.
Some Symptoms Have Delayed Onset
After a car accident, you may feel perfectly fine. You may think that you weren’t injured at all.
Yet, a full exam including a back exam is still crucial even if you feel fine. Many injuries do not show up until hours or even days later.
The injuries that often have delayed symptoms are whiplash, concussion, spinal injury, and internal bleeding.
Getting treatment early can minimize pain and swelling. Having an exam within 24 hours after a car accident will mean that you won’t be in excruciating pain in a few hours or in the days following the crash.
Prevent Long-Term Complications
Your back is made up of some of the biggest and functionally important muscles in the entire body.
The back allows you to stand up straight, supports your spine to bend, twist, and reach. It also allows you to pull and push as well as extend your arms and torso.
That means that when you have a back injury, it impacts your overall mobility. Medical professionals can use physical therapies in order to find even minor injuries as a result of a car crash.
By treating all injuries from the beginning, the chance of long-term complications is reduced. Without an exam, your body can suffer more damage as it tries to compensate for the back injury. That’s why an early diagnosis and treatment plan is vital.
Strengthen Your Personal Injury Claims
If you plan to submit a personal injury claim due to the car crash, a medical exam is crucial documentation.
Not all accidents lead to a personal injury claim. Yet, without a medical exam, you are not aware of the extent of your injuries. As we mentioned earlier, some injuries have a delayed onset of symptoms.
Yet if you wait to have a medical exam days or weeks later, the strength of your personal injury claim goes down.
The other party could argue that your injury was not a result of the car crash at all. In fact, insurance companies will penalize claimants who delay in seeing a doctor. Delay in getting a medical exam will make it harder to prove that the crash was the cause of the victim’s injuries.
When a doctor completes a back exam, he or she will complete some documentation. Those records play a big role in whether or not your claim will be approved.
With these records as well as other documentation, you will be well-prepared to make a personal injury claim against the at-fault person’s insurance company.
Get a Back Exam for Peace of Mind
Thanks for reading. We hope this article has given you enough reasons to seek a back exam after a car accident.
Remember, your back is a vital part of your body. Injury or pain in this area can wreak havoc on your entire body.
Schedule an appointment at AJ Therapy Center today. We also provide free legal referrals to our patients who are suffering from accident-related injuries.