After a collision, your next step should always be to make an appointment with a car accident doctor Houston.

Big or small, any collision can cause your body trauma and, if left untreated, worsening pain and issues.

Read on to learn the signs you need a car accident doctor in Houston.

Signs You Need a Car Accident Doctor Houston

Being in a collision is no joke. No matter the circumstances, getting into a car accident can be scary, frustrating, and anxiety-inducing.

Your mind is racing with questions:

How did this happen?
Is my insurance going to cover this?
Will my rates go up?
What is that pain in my neck?

We understand that a car accident can be a trying time for you and your family. Your next step should be to take care of you.

Many car accident injuries don't show signs or start hurting until hours or days after the accident.

Sign #1: Soreness or Stiffness

The most important thing after a car wreck is making sure you and the other people involved are okay. Police officers and sometimes EMTs will be on the scene to help after a car accident.

However, many people say they "feel fine" after an accident, maybe a little sore, but that's it. What most people don't know is that many car accident injuries don't start showing signs until hours or days after the accident itself.

This is why it's always a good idea to see a car accident doctor after a collision. The sooner you're treated, the faster you'll heal.

Endorphins block pain during traumatic events, which is why pain often doesn't show up until much later after an accident.

Why does it feel like you're fine in the moment but start hurting later? Well, it's due to endorphins. Our body creates endorphins during accidents or other scary situations. These endorphins block pain and other signals from the body, which allow you to focus on getting back to safety.

When the endorphins wear off, you start to feel the pain.

If you're feeling sore or stiff in your neck or back, it's time to make an appointment with a Houston car accident doctor.

Sign #2: Nausea

It's common to feel nauseated after a car accident. Vertigo can happen even during small accidents, and can lead to nausea or vomiting.

In addition, many people feel nauseated due to the anxiety or shock arising from the situation. However, you shouldn't brush off post-collision nausea as nothing.

In fact, nausea and abdominal pain could be a sign of something more serious, such as:

traumatic brain injury
whiplash
internal bleeding
broken bones
organ damage

Here's how to tell if it's time to make an appointment. If you are experiencing nausea or vomiting alongside other symptoms like dizziness, confusion, numbness, or tingling, you need to see a doctor immediately. Call City Wide to make an appointment.

Sign #3: Back Pain

Back pain can signal a variety of things, like pulled muscles, bruises, or a more serious injury that could lead to permanent disability.

Severe back pain after a car accident is a symptom of spinal cord injury. So if your back hurts after a collision, make an appointment with a doctor as soon as possible.

A car accident doctor Houston can calm swelling and reduce the chances of long-term serious injury or damage. Waiting is not advised - you need to see a doctor ASAP after your accident.

Delaying care could lead to life-changing injuries, which are often irreversible. In other words, the sooner you see a doctor for your back pain, the better.

Severe back pain could signal a spinal cord injury.

Sign #4: Headache

A car crash can make your whole body hurt, and even set off migraines. However, if you feel a headache after a collision, it is quite serious.

Always take head pain after a collision seriously. A post-collision headache could mean you've sustained a traumatic brain injury. It could also mean you had a concussion.

Here are other signs to watch out for:

headache that won't go away
headache that worsens
headache accompanied by blurred vision

These symptoms usually mean you've had a concussion. If you experience nausea, confusion, amnesia, mood changes, seizures, ear ringing, seeing stars, or lost consciousness, it is likely you sustained a concussion.

Go see a car accident doctor immediately.

Sign #5: Changes in Vision, Mood, and Communication Skills

There are 3 major signs of a traumatic brain injury after a car accident, and they include:

vision changes
mood changes
difficulty communicating

Slurred speech may indicate a serious brain injury.

If your vision is blurry, have abrupt mood changes or a change in your typical mood, or have slurred speech, it's time to see a doctor. These are all signs of a serious brain injury.

Sign #6: Numbness and/or Tingling

Ever had your foot "fall asleep"? That kind of tingling is not a good sign after a collision.

If you're feeling tingling or numbness in your extremities, that's a sign of more serious injury. Any change in or loss of sensation should be taken very seriously, as it may signal a spinal cord injury.

Swelling is one of the biggest reasons spinal cord injuries become more severe.

Note that numbness can grow slowly, over time, as swelling in your injured areas increases.

Make an Appointment with City Wide Injury & Accident Today!

If you've been in a car accident in Houston, now's the time to make an appointment with a car accident doctor in Houston. Get on the road to recovery faster with City Wide. Make an appointment by clicking the button below or calling us at 713-782-0082.

6 Signs You Need a Car Accident Doctor in Houston | City Wide Injury & Accident - Houston, TX

Joe Danna

Joe Danna is a Chiropractor specialist practicing in Houston, TX. Where he has lived his whole life.

6 Signs You Need a Car Accident Doctor in Houston