Should I see a doctor after my car accident? The short answer is: YES, IMMEDIATELY. But it’s important to understand why you need to see a doctor, even if you “feel fine.” Believe it or not you may need the help of car accident attorney to get the involved to get compensation for medical bills and rehabilitation. Unfortunately you may have internal injuries including injury to ligaments and muscles from the sudden impact and thrust.
No Pain
Have you ever overextended yourself, done a more strenuous workout that you’ve never done before, or tried a new piece of exercise equipment? If so, you’ve probably said to yourself, “I’m really going to feel this tomorrow.” The exact same thing can happen after an accident.
After a car crash, the adrenaline and emotional rush coupled with confusion can mask injuries. You may not feel anything for quite a while. But a day, a few days, a week, or even longer, you’ll start to feel the full force of your injuries. Depending on the type of injury, you may not feel anything for right away. Without a prompt medical exam, you may not know how badly you’re injured.
Serious injuries can happen during even minor car accidents. Whiplash, internal injuries bleeding, and other wounds may not be obvious right away. For example: after the accident, you go home instead of to the ER. A few days later, you begin having trouble breathing. It’s painful and difficult to breathe, and you’re not sure why. This may indicate rib fractures, which are causing pain with inhaling. That’s why its best to get a medical exam to document the initial effect of the accident.
Preserve The Evidence
Another benefit to a prompt medical exam is to preserve all medical evidence related to your accident.
Whether you visit an emergency room, urgent care facility, or your doctor’s office right after the accident, the facility will perform several medical tests. This could include MRIs, CT scans, and X-rays. These test results are valuable evidence if you need to make an accident claim. Such tests demonstrate your current post-crash medical condition and provide important evidence for your injuries. Additional evidence can include receipts for these tests, doctor visits, prescriptions, and co-payments.
Too many people decline to receive medical care after they’ve been involved in an accident, believing they aren’t injured or simply think they can suck it up. The thinking is that they can “always go to the hospital if something gets worse.” Unfortunately, that’s not the best idea. A medical visit establishes a baseline for your injuries, as well as reason for the injury namely the accident. If your injury turns out to get progressively worse requiring multiple return medical or rehabilitative services. Again that first visit establishes a baseline and documents the accident.
The adrenaline rush after a car accident makes clear-headed thinking difficult. But it’s important to stay calm to assess the condition of yourself and any of your passengers and seek assistance. Remember if you decline medical attention at the time of the accident, once you’ve had a chance to think things through, you can take yourself to your local hospital or medical facility later that same day.
Making Your Case
Without an immediate medical exam, your insurance company or that of the other party can offer the defense that you were not seriously injured because you did not see a doctor right away. They may even claim your pain is unrelated to the accident.
Following the accident, seeing a doctor, visiting an emergency room, or subsequent doctors’ appointments creates a “paper trail” to show that you were injured. You’re more likely to receive a fair settlement to compensate you for your expenses with the proper proof. Your doctor may require you to have long term rehabilitation and physical therapy sessions to regain mobility. all of this costs money.
You may also be unable to work while you are laid up recuperating. That means loss of income and you may be able to show had you not been injured, you could have continued working.
Remember always refer accident-related calls to your car accident attorney. Be very careful speaking to an insurance company representative on your own. Instead obtain a car accident attorney and let them represent your matter.
Charleston’s Car Accident Attorney
Car accidents are all too common. Get help from an experienced car accident attorney to guide you through the process, make sure you’re treated fairly, and get the compensation you need.
The Love Law Firm is ready to help. Our car accident attorney Chad Love has lots of experience in car accidents and personal injury lawsuits. Call us today at 304-344-5683 or use our online contact form to schedule your appointment with one of our attorneys.
