Why Should You See A Doctor Immediately After A Car Accident?
Most people don't anticipate a car accident. The severity can range from a simple fender-bender to a life-altering incident — and the injuries from even "minor" crashes can have long-ranging ramifications. Symptoms often don't appear until days, weeks, or even months later. That's why it's critical to seek auto-accident injury evaluation in Oklahoma City within 24–72 hours of the crash, so injuries can be accurately diagnosed and your insurance claim protected.
Accident Care & Treatment Center, Inc. has been exclusively dedicated to evaluating and treating auto-accident injuries since 1995. Over the years we've seen every type of injury, and we tailor treatment to each individual's recovery plan — with on-site medical doctors, imaging, and physical therapy all under one roof at 3209 NW Expressway.
The Most Common Car Accident Injuries We Treat
According to the Association for Safe International Road Travel, nearly 37,000 Americans die in auto accidents each year, and 2.35 million more suffer injuries or disabilities. The injuries range from minor sprains to severe head and spinal damage. Some appear immediately; many take days or weeks to present symptoms.
Common Car Accident Injuries Include:
- Whiplash & cervical strain (ICD-10 S13.4) — the most common rear-end collision injury
- Lumbar and thoracic back strain — stretched or torn paraspinal muscles
- Disc herniation — bulging or ruptured intervertebral discs, cervical or lumbar
- Concussion and mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI, ICD-10 S06.0)
- Soft-tissue contusions and muscle tears — shoulder, chest, and extremities
- Ligament sprains — knee (ACL/MCL), ankle, wrist
- Rotator cuff and shoulder injuries — common in seat-belt restrained drivers
- Rib fractures and chest wall contusions
- Post-traumatic headaches — often cervicogenic or concussion-related
- Facial and dental injuries — from airbag deployment or impact
Common Whiplash & Soft-Tissue Symptoms (often delayed 24–72 hours):
- Neck pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion
- Headaches — typically starting at the base of the skull
- Shoulder, upper back, or arm pain
- Tingling, numbness, or weakness in the arms or hands
- Dizziness, fatigue, or difficulty concentrating
- Blurred vision or ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Jaw pain or difficulty chewing
- Sleep disturbance from pain
See a Doctor Immediately If You Experience Any of the Following:
- Extreme back pain or pressure in your neck, back, or head
- Weakness, incoordination, or paralysis in hands, fingers, toes, or feet
- Difficulty balancing or walking
- Difficulty breathing after injury
- Loss of consciousness, confusion, or memory loss
- Severe headache, vomiting, or vision changes
- Numbness or tingling that progresses or spreads
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
*Symptoms can vary. If you are unsure, call us at (405) 842-3209 — same-day evaluation is available and there is no up-front cost.
Frequently Asked Questions About Common Car Accident Injuries
What are the most common injuries from a car accident?
The most common car accident injuries are whiplash (cervical strain), lumbar/back strain, disc herniation, soft-tissue contusions, shoulder and knee ligament injuries, rib fractures, concussion/mild traumatic brain injury, and post-traumatic headaches. Low-speed collisions regularly produce whiplash and disc injuries even when vehicle damage looks minor.
Can whiplash appear days after the accident?
Yes. Whiplash symptoms commonly begin 24–72 hours after the collision. Adrenaline at the scene masks pain, and the micro-tears in cervical muscles and ligaments produce inflammation over the next one to three days. Delayed onset does not mean the injury is minor — seek evaluation within 72 hours regardless.
How are soft-tissue injuries diagnosed after a car accident?
Soft-tissue injuries are diagnosed by a licensed physician through physical examination (palpation, range of motion, special orthopedic tests) combined with imaging when indicated — ultrasound for superficial tissue, MRI for deeper muscle/ligament/tendon tears. X-rays do not show soft-tissue injury.
What injuries does an MRI detect that an X-ray cannot?
MRI detects disc herniation, ligament tears, muscle strains, spinal cord injury, nerve compression, cartilage damage, and occult fractures that X-ray misses. X-ray is limited to bone and alignment. If you have persistent pain with a normal X-ray, MRI is the appropriate next step.
I was in a minor fender-bender. Do I really need to see a doctor?
Yes. Vehicle damage is a poor predictor of bodily injury. Low-speed rear-end collisions (under 15 mph) regularly produce whiplash, disc injury, and concussion. The forces transferred to the neck and spine can be significant even when the bumper looks fine. Get evaluated within 72 hours.
How do you diagnose a concussion without visible injury?
Concussion is a clinical diagnosis based on mechanism of injury, symptoms (headache, confusion, dizziness, nausea, memory issues, light/noise sensitivity), and a standardized cognitive and balance assessment. CT is ordered only if intracranial bleeding is suspected; most concussions do not show on imaging.
What is the difference between a sprain, a strain, and a tear?
A sprain is a stretched or torn ligament (bone-to-bone connection). A strain is a stretched or torn muscle or tendon (muscle-to-bone connection). A tear can be partial or complete disruption of either. All three are graded 1–3 by severity. Physical exam and MRI together confirm the grade and guide treatment.
How long after the accident can a new injury still be diagnosed?
Injuries can be diagnosed at any time, but the longer you wait, the harder it is to establish the auto accident as the cause — both medically and for your insurance claim. Oklahoma PIP insurers often deny claims when there is a gap of weeks or months between the accident and the first medical evaluation. Document symptoms in writing and seek evaluation as soon as possible.
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