The Importance of Seeking Medical Attention After a Car Accident

It’s natural to feel overwhelmed when you experience a devastating car accident. The adrenaline rush may prevent you from feeling any pain, or you may feel too shocked to make the right decisions. You may want to go home and sleep over the incident or start worrying about getting your car repaired.

The thing you should truly be focusing on is getting timely medical attention. There are several types of injuries that have delayed symptoms, such as whiplash, concussion, or an internal organ injury. Not seeking timely medical treatment could prevent you from getting the financial compensation you deserve from the negligent parties.

It’s best to visit the emergency room (ER) as soon as possible to get a medical evaluation. Thereafter, you should reach out to an experienced personal injury attorney who can protect your legal rights and pursue maximum compensation on your behalf.

Here are a few reasons to seek immediate medical attention following a car crash:

Your Injuries May Worsen in Absence of Treatment

Get looked at by a doctor immediately following a car crash. Your health depends on it. There are several injuries that don’t readily become apparent or symptomatic for several days. You should quickly have your injuries diagnosed so that you can begin treatment. In case of internal injuries, having a physician examine you can help avoid a medical emergency.

Common injuries sustained in Alabama car accidents are:

• Spinal cord injuries
• Broken bones
• Internal bleeding
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Nerve damage
• Whiplash injuries

You may suffer from delayed injury symptoms, such as:

• Swelling or numbness
• Headaches
• Neck and shoulder pain

Don’t delay getting medical attention if you experience any of these symptoms following a car accident.

Your Car Accident Claim may be Denied or Diminished

Insurance companies are not on your side. They have a single goal of improving their bottom line. You can bet that insurance adjusters will do everything possible to reduce their financial obligation. Defendants and their attorneys will try to limit the financial responsibility and liability. You should not provide them with the ammunition they want to sink your personal injury claim.

You should speak with a doctor as soon as possible following a car crash. It should preferably be done within 24 hours of the crash, if not immediately. You may place your car accident claim in jeopardy even by waiting just a week. The insurance company may use the gap in treatment to insist that your injuries occurred in a separate incident following the accident.

Many accident victims delay getting the treatment they require because they are worried about the medical costs and are unsure where to go. You can have your medical examination performed by a family doctor, walk-in clinic doctor, or emergency room physician. You only need to make sure that you follow up with the doctor and save all medical records.

You should also consult with a personal injury attorney even if you don’t wish to pursue legal action against the at-fault driver. Insurance claims are designed to be confusing, complicated, and overwhelming. The insurance provider may outrightly reject your claim. You should not do anything inadvertently that hampers your ability to get the compensation you deserve.

Medical Treatment Will Provide Documentary Evidence

Seek medical treatment after a car accident since it can provide you with official medical records regarding your injuries. It will also connect your injuries with the car accident and prevent the insurance company from denying your claim on that basis. Insurers routinely deny coverage by arguing that the injuries are caused by another accident. You will be able to protect your legal rights by seeking medical treatment following a car crash.

The Importance of Following the Doctor’s Recommendations

It’s not enough to only seek medical attention. You also need to keep up with follow-up appointments and doctor’s recommendations. This means participating in physical therapy, filling prescriptions that you get, and following orders regarding rest and time off work. You may be tempted to ignore treatment recommendations and skip a few appointments.

Pertaining to this, the insurance company may use your noncompliance as justification to say that you are physically fine and don’t require compensation for your medical bills. You should also speak with a dedicated car accident attorney to preserve your legal rights and obtain the compensation you deserve.

Failure to Seek Treatment Makes It Hard to Prove Your Pain and Suffering

Your claim may get negatively affected if you don’t seek treatment for your injuries. Insurance adjusters may believe that you were not really injured and that you caused additional damage by not seeking treatment. Any injury you may have will be pinned on another unrelated accident. In such situations, where the integrity of a claim is questioned, the claimant usually receives a small share of the compensation due to them.

Our Resourceful Car Accident Lawyers in Alabama are Ready to Fight for You

The experienced attorneys at the law firm of Frank M. Wilson are committed to helping car accident victims and their families obtain the financial compensation they rightfully deserve. Our results-driven attorneys have the necessary skills and legal knowledge for achieving the successful outcome you desire.

To schedule your free consultation, call us at (334) 423-3137 or fill out this online contact form.