Why You Should Call An Attorney If You've Been In An Auto Accident?

When you're involved in an auto accident, the world stops for an instant. Then, things move too fast. The moments after an accident can feel like a blur as you work to make sure there are no serious injuries and assess the damage if you are not injured yourself — or at least believe you're not injured.

The Adrenaline Effect

Many people feel fine immediately after an auto accident. Adrenaline is a tricky thing. It can provide additional strength. It can also limit your body's ability to recognize pain. The same pain that would otherwise indicate injuries can go unnoticed. For this reason, it is important to always seek medical attention in the immediate aftermath of an accident — even if you do not believe the accident was serious.

Delayed Injuries

Some injuries, such as whiplash, may not even show up for days after your accident. It takes a little time for your body to respond to the trauma of your auto accident. In most cases, symptoms of whiplash begin to appear within 24 hours of the accident though it may take several days for them to fully manifest. Once they do, these symptoms may endure for quite a few weeks. The following are some of the symptoms whiplash victims commonly experience:

• Neck pain or stiffness in the neck
• Headaches
• Vertigo or dizziness
• Blurry vision
• Excessive fatigue

Some people also experience brain fog, sleep disruptions, and chronic neck and shoulder pain. Unfortunately, the head, neck, and shoulder pain caused by whiplash may persist for years after an auto accident. This can lead to chronic absenteeism from work or long-term disability. Seeking medical attention right away after an accident may help you get ahead of the pain when it comes to treating whiplash.

Insurance Hassles

Most insurance companies are eager to settle and close cases after accidents for the least amount of hassle and expense possible. They may even begin with visits and phone calls while you're in the hospital and heavily medicated. For the reasons listed above and this reason, especially, it is important to seek the services of an experienced auto accident attorney before having any conversations with an insurance company and even before you know the full extent of your injuries, in many cases.

A qualified auto accident attorney can help make sure you don't agree to insufficient insurance settlements too quickly only to discover, after the fact, that you have severe injuries that could affect your life for many years to come.

For more information, contact an auto accident lawyer.