If you suffered even minor burns in a collision, see your doctor immediately. Proper care will maximize the chances of full, rapid healing.

Formal medical diagnosis is also critical for legal reasons. Otherwise, it may be unnecessarily hard to get maximum compensation from your insurance, other drivers’ insurance, and even other drivers personally.

Should I see a doctor for minor burns from a car crash?

As a rule of thumb, it’s always best to see a doctor—period. For major burns, this goes without saying. But even lesser ones carry a heightened risk of infection and perhaps permanent scarring.

What’s more, burns may coincide with other injuries to the same body part. Only a physician can determine the full extent of injuries, and ensure they’re fully recorded for insurance and legal purposes.

It’s also common to experience anxiety stemming from the accident, resulting burns, or the treatment and healing process. Your mental well-being is equally important, so seek a professional who can help you navigate this stressful, difficult period.

Are burn symptoms always noticeable?

Yes. In general, serious burns cause at least some immediate symptoms. They’ll often change (usually for the worse) over the next several hours or longer. Pain may start to diminish after a couple days, but it depends completely on the depth and extent of injury.

First-degree burns may take a few minutes or hours to become visible. In very mild cases, they can be hard to distinguish from abrasions or other superficial injuries.

Second-degree and worse burns go deeper than the outermost layer of skin. They are utterly unmistakeable, with visible damage, often severe pain, and life-threatening symptoms in more severe cases.

How do car accidents cause burns?

Fire is the most obvious cause, although fuel system safety improvements have made it rarer.

Electric vehicle batteries pose a totally new fire hazard. The technology is evolving at a breakneck pace, so it’s hard to predict whether burns will become more or less prevalent in the near future.

Cars also contain several hot parts (namely the radiator) and caustic chemicals. It’s unlikely that you’ve come into contact with them, but it’s not unheard of, either.

If your burns are the result of another vehicle’s cargo—such as chemical shipments—then additional legal issues may be involved.

Do I need a lawyer for my car accident burns?

Collisions bring overwhelming aftermath. It’s more than enough to deal with medical care and a potentially painful healing process for burns.

But then there’s the endless documentation, insurance disputes, and sometimes more complicated legal matters.

At Bridge Law, our team of auto accident specialists is here to fight for you and for every penny you deserve. If you’ve suffered a burn in a car accident, then contact us to discuss your case and options.

If you’re experiencing whiplash symptoms after a car accident, see your doctor ASAP for examination and diagnosis.

Formal medical diagnosis may also be necessary for full compensation from your insurance, other drivers’ insurance, and even other drivers personally.

It’s highly likely that you do in fact have whiplash. However, other injuries may cause similar symptoms, too. Your physician will consider them before prescribing treatment.

What whiplash symptoms do I need to watch for?

The classic whiplash symptoms are neck pain and stiffness. They tend to worsen with movement, making it too painful (or simply impossible) to move your neck through its full range.

Neck pain after car accidents is extremely common. Whiplash isn’t the only cause, but it’s by far the best known.

Are there any other symptoms?

Your neck contains complex musculature and delicate nerves, so pain and soreness often radiate upward (in the form of headaches) or downward through the arms and upper back.

Neurological symptoms like tingling arms, general fatigue, dizziness, difficulty seeing, and tinnitus are not uncommon.

Whiplash is also known to disrupt sleep, cause irritability, impair memory, and even trigger depression. The trauma of a collision may have similar effects, so professional diagnosis is just as critical for psychological symptoms as for physical ones.

How soon does whiplash show up after an accident?

Symptoms may come on within hours, and generally appear within at most a few days.

That’s one of the main reasons why you should never tell others you aren’t hurt in the aftermath of a collision. In many cases, it’s simply too soon to tell.

How did my collision cause whiplash?

It’s the result of neck tissue strains due to a quick, severe change in momentum.

The impact of a collision—especially a rear-end collision—dramatically accelerates your body and neck. Your head is relatively heavy, so it tends to stay in place rather than move as quickly as the rest of your body.

In effect, this pulls your neck in two directions at once, straining connective tissue far beyond what it’s designed to withstand.

Should I talk to an attorney about my whiplash?

Collisions bring overwhelming aftermath. The endless documentation and insurance disputes can be too much on their own, let alone when you’re also dealing with whiplash.

At Bridge Law, our team of auto accident specialists is here to fight for you and for every penny you deserve. If you’ve suffered whiplash in a car accident, then contact us to discuss your case and options.

For any signs of spinal cord damage after a car collision, see your doctor immediately. Proper care will maximize the chances of full, rapid healing.

Formal medical diagnosis may also be necessary for full compensation from your insurance, other drivers’ insurance, and even other drivers personally.

How do car accidents cause spinal cord injuries?

They’re usually the result of direct impact or shear forces. For instance, a crushed door might impact the spine directly, or extreme changes in momentum may force upper and lower spinal segments in opposite directions.

Our spines do a great job protecting delicate nerves from everyday knocks while still letting us move freely.

But the trade-off for ease of movement is a certain vulnerability to blunt or sideways forces.

Vertebrae are connected by ligaments and controlled by muscles. These can all be crushed, stretched, or torn in a crash. That’s painful in its own right, and may disrupt the underlying nerves, too.

Is a spinal cord injury from a collision always serious?

Generally, but not always. It may manifest as something like whiplash, causing pain but no permanent nerve damage.

Naturally, it’s more alarming when the underlying nerves are impinged upon, nicked, or even severed. This obviously requires emergency treatment, and is virtually impossible to leave undetected.

Do I need to see my doctor for spinal symptoms?

Yes. No matter how minor it seems, you should see your doctor immediately for any hint of harm to your spine.

Common signs include:

• Whiplash-like symptoms in your back (e.g., painful or limited movement)
• Tingling or numbness
• Weakness or loss of control in your limbs
• Unusual pain or pressure
• Poor or inconsistent bladder or bowel control

As noted earlier, a physician needs to document any injuries for insurance and legal reasons.

Furthermore, it’s not always easy to tell the difference between minor tissue inflammation and a more serious underlying injury. Your doctor will likely refer you to a specialist who can pinpoint what’s amiss and recommend effective treatment.

Keep in mind that you can suffer lasting harm even without severe spinal cord damage. Minor injuries left untreated can still lead to permanent pain or reduced bodily control.

Should I talk to a lawyer about my spinal cord injury?

Collisions bring overwhelming aftermath. The endless documentation and insurance disputes can be too much on their own, let alone when you’re also dealing with spinal trauma.

At Bridge Law, our team of auto accident specialists is here to fight for you and for every penny you deserve. If you’ve suffered a spinal injury in a car accident, then contact us to discuss your case and options.

If you’re experiencing concussion symptoms after a collision, see your doctor immediately. Avoiding driving, since your vision, balance, and focus may be weaker than you realize.

Formal medical diagnosis may also be necessary for full compensation from your insurance, other drivers’ insurance, and even other drivers personally.

If you were knocked unconscious during the accident, or can’t recall the sequence of events, then you should assume you have a concussion. Seek treatment regardless of symptoms.

How can I tell whether I have a concussion?

A headache is the most universal symptom, but several others are common. Many concussion victims experience nausea and vomiting (especially shortly after the fact), as well as persistent vision and hearing issues.

General confusion or mental fogginess may persist, and you may struggle to recall parts or all of the event. Sleep issues and light/noise sensitivity commonly follow, and some victims even report loss of taste/smell.

Some symptoms are more visible to others than to yourself. Those who know you may comment that you seem a bit vacant, slow, forgetful, or even irritable and hostile. These comments may be frustrating or confusing, but it’s critical to take them seriously and share them with your doctor.

Could I have a concussion if I didn’t hit my head in the accident?

Yes. Firstly, concussions often cause amnesia (memory loss) around the accident. It’s surprisingly common not to remember the period immediately before or after.

Secondly, remember that a concussion just refers to your brain compressing against your skull. That doesn’t require outside impact. For example, intense whiplash in your collision may have caused a concussion without any direct impact to your head.

If I don’t have many symptoms, could I still have a concussion?

Yes. Not all concussion symptoms show up immediately, and they don’t all last for the same period of time. That’s all the more reason to consult a doctor even if you don’t feel many/any concussion symptoms.

Remember, when we’re talking about concussions, we’re talking about traumatic brain injury. The risks of long-term harm are too great to ignore, no matter how decent you feel at the moment.

Should I ask a lawyer about my concussion?

Collisions bring overwhelming aftermath. The endless documentation and insurance disputes can be too much on their own, let alone when you’re also dealing with a concussion.

At Bridge Law, our team of auto accident specialists is here to fight for you and for every penny you deserve. If you’ve suffered a concussion in a car accident, then contact us to discuss your case and options.

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Nothing makes you feel more vulnerable than being in a car accident. The overwhelming powerlessness and confusion make it hard to process the situation, let alone to think about your next steps.

Yet the reality is that decisions in that moment will shape the coming months or years of your life, for better or worse. It’s critical to know what to do before you step into the car—even for quick trips, given that most accidents actually occur near home.

As personal injury attorneys who specialize in auto collisions, we’ve dealt with the good, the bad, and the ugly of post-accident decision-making. Here’s what we wish everyone knew to do.

Evaluate everyone’s safety & call for help

Everyone’s well-being is of the utmost priority. Check yourself, check others, and clear the way for traffic if possible.

Check yourself for injuries

If you are able to move, then go immediately to a safe spot away from traffic or damaged vehicles (which are potentially inflammable).

Obviously, call 911 for any critical injuries as soon as it’s safe to get on the phone.

The shock of the moment can make it surprisingly hard to tell whether you’ve suffered some less catastrophic harm. Try your best to relax and breathe deeply as your level of awareness returns to normal. If possible, think consciously about every body part, one at a time, and dial 911 if you do perceive signs of harm.

If others are injured, stay put and call for help

Assuming you’re not seriously injured, your next priority is to see whether anyone—in any of the vehicles involved—has been injured. If so, then call 911 from a safe place, assuming you are able to.

Under no circumstances should you leave the site of the accident. You may and should move to a safe spot, but fleeing the scene altogether may constitute a hit-and-run. Furthermore, fleeing the scene of an injury accident may be a felony under Washington law.

If safe, move the vehicles out of traffic

Assuming the vehicles are operable, and nobody in them is too badly hurt to move, then get them out of the way of traffic.

If not, then turn on hazard lights and use reflective triangles or flares (if available) to alert other drivers while you wait for law enforcement to arrive. Do not accept the services of any unsolicited tow truck.

Document the incident

If you haven’t already called 911, then now’s the time to get the police on their way. While you wait for them, document everything (and everyone) that pertains to the incident.

Don’t discuss fault or deny injuries

Insurers will decide who is legally at fault—which may be more complex than it seemed from the driver’s seat. No good comes of discussing fault with the other party. Even if you believe you contributed to the collision, and even if the other driver is demanding that you say so, it is simply not the time or place.

Likewise, even if you’re fortunate enough to have escaped injury, don’t say you’re not injured. Delayed car accident injuries are far more common than most people realize. Feeling nothing at the moment does not mean you aren’t hurt; only a doctor can make that determination.

Exchange information

Ensure that you and the other driver(s) have each other’s personal contact information, insurance details, and vehicle information.

Photograph and record the details

Insurance compensation and legal remedies revolve around documentation, so it’s critical to photograph the vehicles extensively. Err on the side of too much evidence, not too little, and don’t count on the other party to capture all the details.

Write down every single thing you recall: the sequence of events, the circumstances, the roadway, and so forth. The stress of the situation can make it harder than usual to remember essential details. If anyone witnessed the collision, it’s wise to record their contact information and observations, as well.

If your insurer provides a mobile app, then you may be able to open a claim and start uploading documentation from the scene.

Follow up

Once you’ve away from the scene, there are still a few critical things to follow up on.

File an insurance claim

If you haven’t already opened a claim with your insurers, now’s the time to do so.

You might not be obligated to file a claim, but you’ll almost certainly want to. True, it’s quite possible that your insurance premiums will rise. Although higher premiums may be hard to swallow, they’re often a drop in the bucket compared to the out-of-pocket cost of even minor repairs (let alone any medical or legal complications).

File a report, if an officer hasn’t

Generally, the investigating officer will file a report. However, if no officer is investigating, then Washington law gives you four days to file a report yourself.

Get a medical check-up

Harm from a car accident isn’t always as obvious as you’d think. Some delayed injury symptoms may emerge hours or even days after the collision.

If you notice any physical or psychological changes, then see your doctor promptly—even if they don’t feel like a big deal.

Consider consulting an attorney

Ideally, insurers settle claims in a prompt and reasonable fashion, and all parties move on with life as soon as possible.

However, there are many situations where insurers are reluctant, liability is complex, or additional legal considerations (like personal behavior or product liability) are involved. If you find yourself in one of these situations, then consult a legal team who can advise you on your rights and remedies.

As personal injury attorneys who specialize in car accidents, we’re all too aware of the financial and personal stakes. We’re here to give a clear, candid assessment and—if necessary—to fight for whatever compensation you deserve.

If you’ve been in an accident, contact us today for a confidential consultation.

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