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A car accident can result in various physical injuries, including broken bones, burns, traumatic brain, spinal cord, facial, and back injuries.
When injuries are life-threatening, car accident victims require emergency medical treatment. If you appear to be okay after an accident, dealing with the other driver and the insurance company may seem like a higher priority than seeking medical care.
After a car accident, you should go to the doctor as soon as possible, even if you don’t notice any severe injuries. This guide looks at the importance of post-accident medical care.
Symptoms May Not Appear Immediately
After an accident, injuries such as fractures, burns, or tissue damage are immediately noticeable. However, some injuries can take several hours or even days to exhibit noticeable signs. The release of adrenaline blocks your body’s pain receptors, and you may not realize that you have an injury.
The delay between the time of an accident and the onset of symptoms depends on the condition. For example, internal bleeding can present up to three days after an accident. Brain injuries, neck injuries, concussions, and whiplash can take as long as a week before showing symptoms.
The main reason to get treatment quickly after an injury is that it helps your chances for successful healing and getting back on your feet quickly. However, treatment soon after a wreck also helps to prove the injuries were caused by the car wreck. If you wait too long before seeking medical care, your injury can worsen, making successful treatment harder.
Increase Chances of Filing a Successful Claim
If the accident and your consequent injury resulted from another driver’s negligence, you might be eligible to claim for damages. In the case of a personal injury, your claims can include:
- Economic damages, such as medical expenses
- Non-economic damages, such as emotional distress, pain, and suffering
The at-fault driver’s insurance company is responsible for compensating you for the above damages. However, insurance adjusters will always look for reasons to minimize the claims.
Before compensating your damages, the insurance adjuster will review your medical records to determine that your injuries are real. The adjuster will also look at your treatment dates. If you waited longer than 72 hours to seek treatment, the insurance adjuster can argue that the injuries were not severe enough to warrant medical treatment.
In practice, these arguments don’t always hold water, but they can reduce your compensation amount. If you have a severe injury, such as head trauma, pursuing compensation is critical. Postponing medical treatment will unnecessarily increase your medical risks and affect your claim.
Hire a Car Accident Attorney
A car accident can be a traumatic experience with various negative consequences. If you were in a car accident, dealing with the vehicle damage, insurance claim, police investigation, and work arrangements might be overwhelming. If you don’t have an apparent injury, immediate medical care may not seem like a priority.
At Bryan Garrett PLLC, we can assist you with your injury claim so you can focus on seeking proper medical treatment. If necessary, we can also help you file a car accident lawsuit to help you recover damages.
To schedule a complimentary claim and file a personal injury claim, give us a call at (405) 358-2342.
