A car crash is a lot to take in. It is understandable that people lost in the confusion of the aftermath while adrenaline pumps through their veins will not always realize they have been hurt. It is common for accident survivors to tell first responders and passersby “I’m okay.”

Unfortunately, many accident survivors are not fine. While they don’t feel hurt in the immediate aftermath of the crash, they can develop symptoms in the hours, days and months to come that make it difficult to keep living a normal life.

Always Seek Medical Treatment After a Crash

Whether you feel fine or not after a motor vehicle accident, it is crucial to get checked out by a medical professional such as your primary care physician or an emergency room doctor. This will rule out any internal or “silent” injuries such as internal bleeding or organ damage.

It also creates a record of treatment that can be crucial in the event you pursue a personal injury claim later on. It may take time for pain and other symptoms to develop. If you don’t seek initial treatment, it opens the door for the insurance companies to claim your pain is not related to your accident.

Leave the Talking to Your Personal Injury Attorney

Representatives from insurance companies may get in touch with you in the days or weeks after an accident. It may seem innocent, but telling them “I’m okay” or “I feel fine” can be used against you when you pursue compensation for your medical treatment and rehabilitation costs. The best course of action is to discuss your situation with an experienced personal injury attorney and let them handle all interactions with the insurance companies while pursuing the full compensation you need.