Since symptoms from auto accident injuries do not always manifest right away, it is a good idea to seek medical attention, right away. This way, you can either rule out any injuries or be proactive in treating them. Moreover, seeking immediate medical attention after an auto accident is crucial if you have auto insurance! The longer you wait to receive medical attention for an auto accident injury, the less likely your insurance company will be willing to cover your medical bills, as they could make the argument that the injury is irrelevant or does not require medical treatment. As such, you should see a doctor as soon as possible after an auto accident, even if you do not appear to have suffered an injury. Auto accidents can cause many types of injuries. Whiplash is the most known. However, there can be many more. Low back, mid back, upper back, wrist, elbow, shoulder, hip, knee and even foot and ankle injuries are all common as well. The extent of injuries are generally sprain/strain injuries to the muscles and ligaments that result in pain and joint dysfunction. These injuries can cause neck pain, back pain, headaches, arm pain/numbness, and/or leg pain/numbness. Left untreated these conditions frequently turn into chronic pain syndromes that can become permanent. Because symptoms may not show up right away, you may not realize you are injured. Many times, auto accident victims do not reach out for treatment because they do not feel the symptoms immediately or feel they are minor and will go away on their own. However, most research regarding injuries sustained in auto accidents shows that the prognosis of a full recovery is low and that the prognosis of rear end collisions, causing whiplash are the worst. If you have recently been in a car accident, our auto accident injury doctors at Golden State Medical Center can provide excellent integrative treatment! To schedule an appointment with us, you can do so through our website or give us a call.