Car accidents can be traumatic experiences, and it's natural to feel overwhelmed and shocked afterward. It’s easy to feel like you need time to readjust, but seeking medical attention after a car accident should be a top priority.
This article explores reasons why you should seek medical attention immediately after a car wreck, even if you feel okay.
Delaying Medical Attention Can Worsen Your Injuries
Car accidents can cause various injuries, some of which are not immediately apparent. Delayed reactions to car accident injuries are not uncommon, and they can be just as serious as the immediate ones.
Whiplash is a typical car accident injury, but it may not appear until a few days or weeks after the actual event. This injury can cause neck pain, headaches, dizziness, and stiffness.
Other latent injuries can include internal bleeding, concussions, and fractures.
By waiting to see a doctor, you risk aggravating such injuries and making them worse.
Delaying Medical Attention Can Affect Your Legal Rights
If you wait to seek treatment after a car accident, you could be jeopardizing your legal standing. Insurance companies can use any delay as evidence that your injuries aren't severe, or they weren't caused by the accident.
Waiting to see a doctor can make it harder to establish a link between the accident and your injuries, affecting your ability to get compensation. Proving a direct link between the accident and the injuries sustained is a crucial part of any personal injury claim. With time, it can become increasingly difficult to establish this connection and, as a result, hinder your chances of receiving compensation. An insurance company can easily claim that your injuries were unrelated to the accident, and it will be harder for you to prove them wrong.
Delaying Medical Attention Can Increase Your Medical Expenses
If you wait to seek medical treatment, your injuries may worsen. This is a problem for your body, as now you are in worse shape, but it is also a problem for your finances.
Worsened symptoms require more extensive treatment and longer recovery times. In this situation, you could face higher medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses that you could have otherwise avoided.
Delaying Medical Attention Can Affect Your Insurance Claim
When you wait to get treatment, insurance companies can argue that your injuries weren't caused by the accident. They could even claim that your injuries aren't as severe as you claim. They will argue that if you had been hurt that badly, you would have sought treatment earlier. These accusations can lead to lower settlements or even outright denial of your claim.
Seeking early treatment helps provide objective evidence of your injuries, such as medical records and doctor's notes.
Remember, insurance companies are businesses. They are not your friends, and they care only about protecting their bottom line. Insurers rarely look out for your best interests, no matter how adorable their mascot is. With that in mind, always stay vigilant and persistent in advocating for yourself. Your first step is seeking medical treatment immediately after an accident, even if you feel fine at the time.
How Seeking Medical Treatment Early Can Strengthen Your Insurance Claim
By going to a healthcare professional right away, you can establish a clear record of your injuries and the treatment necessary for recovery. This documentation can help show the severity of your injuries and the impact they had on your life, making a better case for compensation.
If you’ve been hurt, The Shellist Law Firm, PLLC can help you seek the compensation you deserve. For a free consultation, call our office at (713) 999-6855 or contact us online.