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.
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.
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.
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.
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, or that your injury was a pre-existing condition.
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.
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:
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.
It’s common not to feel pain immediately after an accident due to the rush of adrenaline. However, it’s crucial to see a doctor for prompt medical care as soon as possible. Delayed symptoms are common with injuries like whiplash, concussions, and internal organ damage, which may take hours or even days to manifest. Early medical evaluation can help in diagnosing such injuries promptly.
Yes, in some cases, seeing a specialist can be necessary to receive appropriate care. General practitioners can provide an initial assessment, but specialists like orthopedists, neurologists, or physical therapists can offer targeted treatment plans for specific injuries. Your primary care doctor may refer you to a specialist based on the nature of your injuries.
If you don’t have health insurance, there are still ways to cover your medical expenses. Many personal injury lawyers can connect you with medical providers who work on a deferred payment agreement, meaning they will get paid out of any settlement you receive. Additionally, some fault-based system states require the at-fault driver’s insurance to cover your medical costs.
Yes, follow-up visits are essential to ensure you’re healing properly and to address any emerging symptoms. Your doctor can monitor your recovery progress and make adjustments to your treatment plan if needed. Continuous medical documentation also strengthens your personal injury claim by showing a commitment to treatment and recovery.
While it’s ideal to seek prompt medical care after an accident, you can still claim compensation if you see a doctor later. However, documenting your symptoms and the reasons for the delay in seeking treatment can be helpful. An experienced personal injury attorney can assist you in explaining the situation and gathering evidence to support your claim.
Thompson Law charges NO FEE unless we obtain a settlement for your case. We’ve put over $1.9 billion in cash settlements in our clients’ pockets. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your accident, get your questions answered, and understand your legal options.
State law limits the time you have to file a claim after an injury accident, so call today.
