It is common for people to sustain injuries in a car accident and believe they are uninjured. Injuries may take days, or weeks to manifest completely. Some injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and internal bleeding can cause death if not detected early. Receiving medical care directly after a car accident can change the outcome of an injury. In this blog, we'll highlight several reasons why you should get medical attention as soon as possible after being involved in a car accident even if you “feel fine.”
If you have been hurt in a car accident call or text our injury lawyers in Arizona today at (602) 345-1818 to receive a free consultation.
The body creates chemicals to mask pain.
Adrenaline can mask the pain that you would normally experience after an injury. It causes your body to speed up in an effort to help you deal with the threat that your brain is perceiving in the moment. The brain's rationale is to fight now to stay alive then deal with the injury later when it is safe to do so. This makes it possible to sustain a life-altering injury and not know about it for days after the initial trauma.
One such injury that may be difficult to detect following an injury is a concussion. Concussions are a type of TBI where trauma has caused the brain to move rapidly back and forth inside the skull. In the case of a TBI, immediate medical attention is crucial. An untreated concussion can cause you to have symptoms that progress for years, as well as a decline in mental sharpness, including:
- Dizziness
- Confusion
- Amnesia
- Headache
- Balance issues
- Momentary loss of consciousness
- “Seeing stars”
- Nausea
- Ringing in the ears
Even if you do not feel or notice these symptoms after a car accident, it's best to get checked out by a doctor. Often car wrecks happen so quickly that people don't even remember hitting their heads.
Documentation of Injuries Plays a Large Part in Your Case
If you are injured in a car accident, one of the first pieces of documentation the insurance company will want to see is the medical reports regarding your injury. The more evidence that you can provide regarding the existence and implications of your trauma, the higher your chance of success in a personal injury case.
The promptness or delay in which you seek medical care for your injuries may also be factored in by the insurance companies. A delay in getting medical attention could cause the adjuster (or court if it gets that far) to conclude that your injuries were nonexistent or not serious enough to warrant financial compensation.
Other important medical evidence that will be important to your case includes:
- A list of medical professionals - this list may include the initial emergency room or doctor visit, your primary care doctor, physical therapist, specialists, etc. After the initial visit, you may continue seeing medical professionals for ongoing pain or complications resulting from your injury.
- A tally of medical expenses - When you and your injury lawyer sit down to calculate the value of your personal injury case, both current and estimated future medical bills will be vital. Make sure you keep a list of everything - your emergency room or hospital bills, prescription costs, travel costs associated with your doctor visits, etc.
- Photographs of your injuries - Be sure to take photos of your injuries. These can come in handy months down the road after physical signs, like bruising or abrasions have healed. Remember never to post these photos or any details about your accident on the internet.
Note in the above list, we specifically discussed medical evidence. Other evidence will include items like lost wages, home renovation bills related to your injuries, official police reports, eyewitness statements, photographs of property damage, etc. Your lawyer will help to compile all relevant evidence and package it into a strong legal strategy to present to the insurance company. Taking the right initial action and keeping up with your documentation will go a long way in helping you get the compensation you need to recover.
Getting Consistent Medical Care Is Advised
If you suffered from an injury in a car accident, don't stop medical attention after the initial emergency room visit. If you need to take legal action against the insurance company or person who caused your injury, gaps in medical attention may negatively affect your case. The insurance company could claim that your injuries weren't serious enough to garner financial compensation. This is a common claim from insurance companies in an effort to deny your claim and pay your nothing.
Getting consistent medical care after a car accident injury isn't only important for the success of any subsequent legal action, it's also paramount for your future health. Many injuries come with chronic pain or other symptoms that may lead to long-term disabilities. Ensuring that you get the treatment you need to recover has a substantial impact on your continued overall health.
Call or Text Impact Legal's Experienced Injury Lawyers
Don't suffer in silence if you've been injured in an accident. Reach out to our injury lawyers in Arizona and New Mexico today to understand your legal options. Your initial consultation is completely free. Schedule it with us by calling or texting 6(602) 345-1818. You can also fill out our online form, and we will reach out to you to schedule an in-person or virtual appointment.