No matter whether your car accident was a minor fender bender, or a major car crash – due to the adrenaline of the event you may be feeling fine. However, it’s critical to remember that even a small collision can lead to serious injuries. You may not realize that you’ve been hurt at first – so it’s always better safe than sorry.

Also, it’s important to remember that a number of injuries – particularly soft tissue injuries – manifest themselves much slower after an accident. You may think that you are fine, only to realize in days or weeks that there is lingering pain from the accident. As a result, diagnostic testing at the early stages can catch these issues and allow your medical team the opportunity to treat it from the outset.

Lastly, often a medical professional will recommend physical therapy to assist with recovery after a car accident. The sooner you meet with a doctor, the sooner they can determine if this course of action makes sense for your injury. As physical therapy can take weeks or months, it is in your interest to begin this process as soon as practicable after a car accident.