5 Reasons to Seek Medical Attention After a Car Accident

Every year in the United States, thousands of people are injured as a result of car accidents. These injuries can range from a few bumps and bruises to bodily harm that leaves a person disabled for the rest of their life.

You might be tempted to skip a visit to your doctor after a car crash, but doing so could result in a failure to diagnose an injury and even ruin your chances of getting compensation for medical bills and lost wages. Insurance companies may deny your claim if you don’t see a doctor within a certain time frame after an accident.

1.  For Your Own Good

Even if you think you aren’t hurt at all or your injuries seem very minor, you should still see a doctor after you’ve been in an accident. Many times, people that just feel a little banged up will end up feeling much worse after a few days, weeks, or even months following a crash.

A slight bump on the head could potentially be a concussion or lead to neck and back problems down the road, for example. The sooner you get checked out and receive a proper diagnosis of your injuries, the sooner you can recover and get back to your life.

2. Documentation and Proper Records of Your Injuries

If you are filing a claim and seeking compensation, it’s in your best interest to have thorough medical records of your injuries immediately after the accident. The longer you wait to see a doctor, the more difficult it will be to prove that you were injured during the car wreck. 

3. Conforming to Insurance Company Requirements

Many insurance companies require that you go to an emergency room or hospital immediately after an accident as a condition of filing a proper medical compensation lawsuit. If you wait too long to see a doctor, you run the risk of voiding the limited amount of time some insurance companies give to be eligible for damages.

4. Not Seeing a Doctor Can Be Used Against You Later

If you decide not to go to a doctor immediately after an accident then you decide later that you want to file a personal injury claim, insurance companies can use this against you. Their job is to settle for the least amount possible, so they could use this to devalue your claim or deny it all together.

5. Medical Treatment Will Establish Credible Evidence for Your Lawsuit

Of course the most important thing to you after you’ve been injured is to recover, but if you look ahead there will be medical bills and lost wages to think about even after you recover. Your bay area auto accident attorney will use your medical records as proof of your injuries and fight for what you deserve.

Records such as doctor’s notes, x-rays, and physical therapy treatments will serve as proof that your injuries have affected your well-being. Medical, physical, and emotional trauma after a car crash can leave lasting effects on your life, so having the proper evidence can help you to get proper reparations