The Car Accident Injury Clinic of Choice in San Antonio, TX

What To Do If You Were in a Car Accident

Here’s the short answer: Seek care immediately!

Car accidents can cause a variety of soft tissue injuries — damage to the muscles, ligaments, and tendons — that can last for months following the accident. They can become worse over time if left untreated. Whatever condition or pain you may be feeling, we recommend following these 5 steps to achieve pain relief.

1. Take Notes

Write down the pain(s) you experience immediately following a car crash. If you’re involved in a serious collision, your body can go into shock, and that high-alert mode can temporarily reduce the effects of any personal injuries. By writing down what you feel, you can accurately tell a healthcare professional all of your symptoms so they can provide you with the correct treatment(s).

2. Promptly Seek Injury Care

When you see a doctor, report everything, including the notes taken from your initial injury and any new pain — even small pains. If your car gets dented in a few small areas, you still want them fixed. The same logic should apply to your body, so explaining all of your pain areas can only help. Getting pain relief for every ache is the best method for getting back on track to regular life.

3. Stretch

Oftentimes, you’ll experience soreness after a crash due to muscle strain. One way to relax these muscles is through light stretching exercises, yoga and other low-impact stretching techniques. Our providers can provide you with the right movements to ensure proper healing and reduce further injury.

4. Avoid Vigorous Exercise

Good blood flow is key to recovery, but you should avoid high-impact exercises like running, jumping or playing sports until you’ve cleared a proper examination with a doctor. Concussions, whiplash, and muscle injuries can worsen significantly with heavy exercise.

5. Don’t Skip Treatment

Whatever you do, do not miss a medical examination. Car accidents move our bodies in very unnatural ways, causing lifetime deformities in posture that leave you with chronic pain if you don’t seek treatment. You never know what complications could arrive weeks, months, or even years after a car accident.