Getting into a car accident can be stressful and confusing, especially if you or a passenger has been injured. It’s important to know what your next steps should be, and be able to discern fact from fiction. Below are five myths about car accident injuries:

Myth #1: You shouldn’t see a doctor for an injury that isn’t serious.

If you’re able to walk away from an accident, you may feel very lucky. But serious injuries aren’t always immediately obvious. Concussions or injuries masked by adrenaline may still affect your well being, even if you are immediately aware of them. It’s almost always in your best interest to be checked out by a first responder, emergency room doctor, and/or your primary care physician if you’ve been injured in an accident. Even if your care provider discovers no serious injury, it can still offer peace of mind to get a clean bill of health from a medical professional.

When it comes to your health, consider being proactive.

Myth #2: An accident can only injure you physically.

When we think about pain from an accident, we think about cuts, bruises, broken bones, or concussions. Rarely do we believe that getting into an accident can harm us psychologically.

It is actually pretty common to suffer from things like anxiety and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder after an accident. If these mental ailments are not addressed, they can cause pain for years. Psychological trauma after an accident is very real and should not be ignored.

Myth #3: Whiplash doesn’t exist.

One of the most common injuries associated with a car accident is whiplash, but for some reason, many people refuse to acknowledge that it is an actual condition.

If you’re experiencing severe pain in your neck or back, you may be suffering from whiplash. Even if you don’t have physical signs of injury, like cuts or bruises, whiplash can still exist. The pain can be debilitating and if you’re suffering from the condition, seek medical help as soon as you can.

Myth #4: Lawyers made up the term “pain and suffering.”

For anyone who has never experienced pain and suffering, it can seem like a completely made up term. But for those who has been through it, they know that it can be very, very real.

Pain and suffering refers to an inability to live your life to the fullest because of the injuries of the accident. You may be required to miss work, social engagements, class, and other responsibilities because you are dealing with pain and psychological damage.

If you’ve recently been injured in a car accident, do not allow the myths that people tell you influence getting better. Listen to your body, and if you’re experiencing pain, anxiety, or even confusion, get the help you need.