Reasons to Get Medical Care Right After an Accident
First and foremost, prompt medical care after an accident is critical to protect your health. But if you need to build a solid personal injury case, immediate medical attention plays a role there, too.
Even if you don’t feel signs of injury, getting checked out by a medical professional is non-negotiable. Prompt care can help save you from paying out-of-pocket expenses, but more importantly, it could help save your life.
Waiting Puts Your Health at Risk
After an accident, many people with injuries think they’re fine. That’s because adrenaline floods the system, numbing the body to aches and pains.
And while lacerations and fractures might be immediately noticeable, internal injuries can remain hidden until too late. Injuries like whiplash, organ damage, or traumatic brain injuries aren’t visible to the naked eye. You might not even feel them at first.
That’s why getting to a hospital or doctor right away is vital to determine your diagnosis after a crash. You don’t want internal bleeding or brain injury to go undetected, undiagnosed, and untreated.
Waiting Makes Your Injury Appear Less Urgent
If you’re considering filing a personal injury claim for your injuries, your actions after the accident play a considerable role. If you seek immediate medical treatment, this seems to suggest your injuries were a primary concern.
On the other hand, if you wait to see a doctor, the other side can argue that you weren’t injured. Like you and I, insurance adjusters, judges, and juries are more likely to believe the person seeking immediate medical care after an accident.
Too many questions arise when someone claims severe injury but waits a month before seeing a doctor.
Prompt Medical Care is Essential to Confirm Your Injuries and Preserve your Health
You’ll need a medical professional’s assessment, diagnosis, and prognosis to formally confirm your injuries. Otherwise, it’s your word against the other party.
If no one knew precisely what your injuries were, what level of treatment would be involved, or how long you might be out of work, reaching a fair settlement would be impossible.
Medical documentation is significant here because it gives everyone a clear picture of your injuries and how they have affected your life.
A personal injury lawyer can help you collect the documents necessary to build your case, including essential medical records.
Prompt Medical Care Helps Establish Causation
If you wait a long time after your accident to get care, it becomes easier for the other side to argue your injuries were caused elsewhere.
For example, if you get in a crash but wait three weeks to seek treatment, the other party can suggest you were injured on the job, at home, in another accident, etc.
Waiting Can Reduce Your Settlement
If you wait to get professional medical treatment for your injuries, you cannot know what your settlement is worth. The insurance adjusters will try to push you through quickly, pressuring you to take a lowball offer.
At first glance, a few thousand dollars might sound appropriate for your aches and pains. But imagine you see a doctor later, only to discover your injury is far more severe than expected.
On top of the medical treatment it requires, you’ll be missing a significant amount of work. Getting prompt medical care helps you get an idea of what your injury is going to cost you – both financially and emotionally.
How Can a Personal Injury Lawyer Help After a Car Crash?
If you suffered an injury due to someone else’s negligence, a personal injury attorney can help.
You shouldn’t have to pay out-of-pocket for medical treatment, hospital bills, property damage, and more because someone else was reckless.
Personal injury lawyers can help with the following:
- Obtaining your incident or police report
- Helping you seek prompt medical care
- Investigating and putting together an evidence file
- Understanding all of the relevant laws and insurance policies
- Determining which party/parties are at fault or liable
- Figuring out your non-economic and economic damages
- Negotiating your settlement amount
- If necessary, representing you at trial
Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer Today
Hiring a personal injury lawyer after a car crash can sound like just another hassle. But it could prove to be the best decision of your life.
Without expert legal guidance and advocacy, you will end up paying for an accident caused by someone else. Let the team at Thompson Law help you get the compensation you deserve for pain and suffering, lost wages, and more.
We have a proven track record of success in personal injury cases and are ready to put our experience to work for you. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Personal Injury Lawyer FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
What is the average personal injury settlement in Texas?
Personal injury settlements vary greatly, and your compensation depends on your injuries, the nature of the accident, seeking prompt medical care, and total damages.
The average auto liability claim is around $3,231, and the average bodily injury claim is approximately $15,433. A personal injury attorney can help you better understand what your case might be worth.
How long does a personal injury lawsuit take in Texas?
The length of time will vary for every case, as will the settlement amount. In Texas, you have two years to file a personal injury claim.
Your attorney will help ensure you meet all the correct requirements and deadlines, so you don’t forfeit your chance at a fair settlement.
Do I really need a lawyer for a personal injury lawsuit?
Yes. A personal injury lawyer has extensive experience with insurance companies and personal injury law.
When you’re recovering from a crash, the last thing you want to do is deal with adjusters trying to give you a lowball offer or deny your claim outright.
What are some common causes of car accidents in Texas?
Common causes of car accidents in Texas include drunk driving, texting or talking while driving, speeding, tailgating, and aggressive driving or road rage.
While many drivers are prone to multitask, even a few seconds of distraction can cause a severe or fatal crash.
What is a large personal injury settlement?
A personal injury lawsuit is typically between $3,000 and $75,000. Your personal injury attorney can help you get a better idea of what your case might be worth once you’ve discussed all the unique details of your accident.
