Recovering from Car Accident Injuries

A car accident is an unfortunate event that people do not plan to face. In Philadelphia alone, there are thousands of car accidents every year. Many of those accidents result in injuries, or worse, death. Thoroughly assessing your injuries can be beneficial should you need a consultation with a car accident lawyer Philadelphia PA.

Assessing Your Injuries

Immediately following an accident you should assess the injuries you have. Because the adrenaline is pumping in your system, you may not realize you’re actually hurt until later. However, it’s important to check for obvious injuries like cuts, compound fractures, or obvious pain.

If you, or anyone else in the accident, has been hurt, you should see a doctor as soon as possible. The most serious injuries will be transported directly from the accident scene by emergency personnel. Less serious injuries will be advised to see their primary care physician or go to a local clinic or hospital for emergency care.

Why Seek Medical Attention?

After an accident, you may immediately realize you are injured. However, that isn’t always the case. On occasion, you may feel perfectly well immediately following the accident. Once the adrenaline subsides, you will likely feel sore if nothing else. Seeking immediate medical attention can help to rule out serious, yet unseen, conditions like internal bleeding or other internal injuries.

Choosing to see a medical professional allows you to have documented evidence of your injuries no matter how small they may seem to you. Should you decide to consult with a car accident lawyer in Philadelphia this documentation will help you to prove your case. It will also give the attorney some of the information they need to determine if you have a case to file.

What Are the Signs of Post-Traumatic Stress?

One very real possible result of a car accident is post traumatic stress. There are some reactions that you will have that may seem overwhelming but are perfectly normal. These include feelings of shock, anger, or even guilt following the accident.

Some of these normal feelings can become extremely intense and start to affect the way you manage your daily life. If you experience any of the following, you may have developed post traumatic stress.

• A feeling of uneasiness that doesn’t end
• Anxiety about being in a vehicle even as a passenger
• Worrying excessively, extreme anger, or irritability
• Fear of medical procedures, even simple tests
• Insomnia or nightmares
• A disconnected feeling especially feeling disconnected from other people
• Uncontrollable recurrent memories of the accident

Should you experience any of these symptoms, seek help even if it’s just talking to a friend or family member about how you feel.

Other Signs of Stress or Injury

Sometimes after an accident, you will find yourself sleeping a lot. The adrenaline that pumped through your body as the accident happened and immediately thereafter has settled. That means that the heightened energy you felt has also disappeared. This often leaves you feeling extremely tired and sleepy.

Sleepiness is a normal side effect of an adrenaline rush followed by a return to normalcy. However, if the sleepiness continues for a long time, or if you experience headaches, neck aches, or backaches in combination with sleepiness, you should consult your doctor. These can signal hidden injuries that are serious.

Can A Car Accident Lawyer in Philadelphia Help Me?

You may need to contact a car accident lawyer Philadelphia PA if you’ve been severely injured in a car accident. There's a large and often complicated area of law that covers accidents, the injuries they cause and determining who, if anyone, is at fault. (1)  For this reason, it’s wise to consult a professional to get answers to your questions.

Car accidents are life-changing experiences. The crash itself is only the beginning of what can be an extremely long process of filing an insurance claim, determining fault, and most importantly, getting the closure one needs to move on with their life. (2) If this is your first car accident, you may be wondering if life will ever feel normal again. A qualified car accident lawyer in Philadelphia can help you maneuver the seemingly endless process of moving beyond the emotional and physical pain of an accident.

Conclusion

The first step to recovering after a car accident is thoroughly assessing your injuries honestly. Knowing the signs of post traumatic stress and hidden injuries will help you decide if you should seek further medical attention. Serious injuries could merit contacting Morgan & Morgan and consulting with a car accident lawyer in Philadelphia.

FAQS

1. Is shock a normal response after a car accident?

Shock can be one of the first reactions to a car accident. The shakiness you feel immediately after the mishap can signal that you’ve entered a state of shock. This feeling isn’t permanent, but it can last up to a few days. Having a good support system from family and friends can help you through the initial period of shock.

2. I feel fine. I should be okay without help from a doctor, right?

The answer is that you can be perfectly fine even without medical attention. However, if it is questionable who was at fault for this accident, you should go get checked out. Having these records will help a car accident lawyer Philadelphia PA assess the feasibility of a lawsuit following the accident. Truthfully, symptoms can develop later or be an ongoing issue either physically or mentally.

3. What if I need a car accident lawyer in Philadelphia, but can’t afford one?

Attorney fees and court costs can indeed add up quickly. Morgan & Morgan has fees that are contingent on us winning your case for you. So, we won’t get paid unless you get a settlement. We are motivated to provide the best legal services possible, so don’t worry that we won’t work hard for you. We will negotiate a settlement or go to court, whichever your case requires.