It is very common to not really know if you are hurt immediately after a car accident. You are in shock. You might feel some tightness, but no pain, but you do not really know the true extent of your injuries right away.
It is imperative that you get to a doctor as soon as you can so that you can document any possible injuries and make sure you are okay. You also want to make sure that there is no further treatment that you need to avoid having medical problems down the road. Also, your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) on your insurance policy provides medical benefits for you. These PIP benefits will help pay for your evaluation and any necessary treatments.
If you do not go to the doctor within the first fourteen days of the accident, then you cannot use your Personal Injury Protection benefits that are on your policy, so it is crucial to go to the doctor quickly for that reason as well.
Often, you will start feeling pain, such as headaches and neck pain, a few days after an accident. You want to get this checked out before the pain comes to ensure that your rights are fully protected.