Should You See a Doctor After a Car Accident?
Car accidents are shocking and overwhelming. If you are not experiencing any obvious pain or visible injuries, you may not think you need to see a doctor. However, you could have an internal injury that goes unnoticed that could have immense repercussions if left untreated.
After a traffic collision, it is a good idea to see a doctor and get a professional evaluation of any injuries that you have sustained. Similarly, a qualified lawyer could guide you through the process of getting fair compensation for your injuries and the money you spent as a result.
The Importance of Seeing a Doctor
Emergencies such as car accidents cause acute stress responses, which increase the body’s adrenaline levels. This can reduce your pain to a point where you might not feel an injury for a brief period after a crash.
Internal injuries and concussions could cause serious complications without being visible right after an accident. Depending on a person’s stress response, they might feel little to no pain, but these types of injuries could cause serious problems if they are not treated right away.
What Type of Medical Professional to See
If you have any signs of serious injury, you should call 911 and go to the emergency room by ambulance. If you only have mild scrapes and scratches, local urgent care is your best option to get quickly checked out by medical professionals. If you do not notice an injury, it is still a good idea to contact your primary care doctor and get an appointment as soon as possible. Your doctor might refer you to a medical specialist who is able to conduct a more in-depth assessment of your injuries.
Ways That Seeing a Doctor Could Help Your Legal Case
Seeing a doctor on the same day or as soon as possible after a motor vehicle collision helps establish that the accident caused the injuries. Your healthcare provider will start documenting the extent of the injuries, the required treatment, and the costs of those treatments. This documentation creates a permanent record of the injuries that will be very beneficial in your court case.
The longer an individual waits to receive medical treatment, the easier it will be for the other driver’s insurance company to argue that something else caused the injury. They might claim that something else occurred after the accident that caused or worsened the damage or that the claimant worsened their own injuries by not seeing a doctor promptly.
After Seeing a Doctor, Talk to a Personal Injury Attorney
Regardless of how you feel physically, seeking medical attention after a car crash could prevent serious health complications and improve your legal options. The medical treatment you receive might be expensive, and recovering from your injuries could cause you to miss work. If the other driver was responsible for the wreck, you will be able to recover compensation for these losses and others.
An experienced personal injury lawyer could review your situation and help you decide how to proceed. Schedule a free consultation with Price Benowitz to start the process today.
