When you leave your house in the morning, you probably do not expect to be involved in a motor vehicle accident. Unfortunately, a car accident can happen when you least expect it, and even relatively minor car accidents can lead to serious injuries. For example, an accident in a parking lot can leave you with a serious neck injury even if it only takes place at a few miles per hour.

How long should you expect to be sore after a motor vehicle accident? There are several important factors to keep in mind, and remember that you do not have to go through this situation alone. Professionals are available to lend a helping hand to those in need.

You Should Always Seek Medical Care - Even if You Aren’t Sore

First, in the immediate aftermath of a motor vehicle accident, you might not be that sore at all. Even if you don't feel that sore, you always need to seek medical care.

The reason why you might not be sore after a motor vehicle accident is that there is a lot of adrenaline going through your body. Having a car accident is a stressful experience, and adrenaline release is the natural response of your body to this type of stress. Adrenaline can mask serious injuries, which is why you might not feel too badly.

Despite this, you always need to see a doctor to make sure you don't have injuries that go unnoticed. If you don't see a doctor immediately after a motor vehicle accident, your injuries could get worse, and you might unknowingly cause complications and postpone your recovery. That is why you should always seek medical care following a motor vehicle accident, no matter how good you feel.

Additionally, failure to see a physician in a timely manner after an auto accident could potentially hurt your case in court if you attempt to collect a settlement.

You Might Be Sore for a Few Days

You might be sore for a few days following a motor vehicle accident. Even if you go to the emergency room and receive a clean bill of health, you might feel a bit stiff and sore. During a motor vehicle accident, there are rapid changes in direction. As a result, you can develop ligament sprains and muscle strain. You may need to take it easy for a few days. Try to stretch if the doctor says it is safe, but you should probably avoid any heavy lifting. You may want to take a few days off from the gym as well.

Remember that you should always follow up with your primary care doctor even after you leave the emergency room. Your primary care doctor may refer you to a specialist if you have been diagnosed with any major injuries following a car accident.

Injuries Can Lead To Major Complications

Speaking of injuries, there are some people who develop serious complications following a motor vehicle accident injury. The exact amount of time it will take for you to recover will depend on the severity of the injuries. A few important points to keep in mind include:

• If you have been diagnosed with a ligament sprain, such as an ankle sprain, it may take you a few weeks to make a full recovery. Some ankle sprains may heal in a few days, while others might require surgery if the ligament is completely torn.
• In other situations, you may be diagnosed with a bone fracture. For example, you may slam your wrist against the window or dashboard, leading to a fracture of the radius or ulna. A typical bone fracture will take six weeks to heal, but if the bone fracture requires surgical fixation, it may take you several months to make a full recovery.
• If you suffer a serious knee injury, you may require surgery followed by physical therapy. There are numerous knee injuries you may suffer, and one of the most common examples is called dashboard knee. This refers to a tear of the PCL, and it could require surgery. This recovery process could take up to a year.

These are just a few examples of injuries you may suffer in a motor vehicle accident. The sooner you get these injuries diagnosed, the faster you can recover.

How To Expedite the Recovery

If you want to expedite the recovery process, there are several steps you need to follow. Some of the ways you can recover more quickly following a serious motor vehicle accident include:

• You always need to call 911 as quickly as possible following a motor vehicle accident. The sooner medical professionals arrive on the scene, the faster you can recover. Do not forget to ask for the police to come to the scene as well.
• Even after you leave the emergency room, schedule an appointment with your primary care doctor. You will probably wake up feeling sore the next day, and your primary care doctor can take a closer look.
• Do not forget that you need to reach out to a lawyer following a motor vehicle accident as well. Medical bills can be expensive, and you could be entitled to compensation.

If you follow these tips, you may be able to expedite your recovery process.

Always Seek Legal Representation

After a motor vehicle accident, you deserve to focus all of your attention on your medical recovery. Unfortunately, there is a lot of paperwork involved with a motor vehicle accident, there will probably be multiple insurance companies involved, and you need someone who can advocate for your rights.

That is why you need to reach out to a lawyer who can review your case and make sure your rights are protected. This is particularly important if you do not think the accident was your fault.

Even if the other person is blamed for the accident, you still need to make sure you get a fair settlement from the insurance company. Do not speak to an insurance company without having a lawyer who can assist you. If you seek legal representation, you will have a trained professional who can handle the paperwork as you focus on your medical recovery.

Count on the Team From Vasilaros Wagner for Help Following a Motor Vehicle Accident

A motor vehicle accident is always serious, and you need to reach out to an attorney who can help you defend your rights. At Vasilaros Wagner, we have helped countless people in the Central Florida area navigate complicated legal waters following a motor vehicle accident.

The first thing you need to do is seek the care of a medical professional. Then, reach out to us for a case review. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you.