The Importance of Seeking Medical Care After a Car Accident

A car accident can leave you with minor or major injuries that can keep you out of work, make it difficult for you to perform everyday tasks, and hurt your financial well-being. By seeing a doctor after a car accident, you can protect your health and rights to a valid claim for damages against the responsible driver. Keep reading to learn about the importance of seeking medical care after a car accident.

If you or a loved one has suffered an injury from a car accident that was caused by the negligent acts of another, reach out to the experienced Charlotte car accident lawyers at Randall & Stump, Criminal Defense Attorneys. To schedule a free consultation of your case, contact us today at (980) 237-4579.

What Happens If You Do Not See A Doctor After a Crash

Car accident victims sometimes avoid seeing the doctor because they believe they are not injured, or that their injury is minor and does not warrant medical attention. Since many common car accident injuries are not immediately apparent or worsen over time, failing to see a doctor after a crash is dangerous. If you do not seek medical care after a car accident, here’s what may happen:

Your Injury May Worsen

While you may not feel much pain right after a car accident, you may notice more serious pain days, weeks, or even months after the crash occurred. Therefore, it’s vital for a doctor to diagnose and treat your injuries as quickly as possible. You don’t want to be blindsided by pain and discomfort when you thought you were okay.

An Insurance Company May Deny Your Claim

Typically, insurance companies have time limits on paying for medical treatments following an accident. If you do not visit a doctor or do so weeks or months after your crash, an insurance company may deny your claim and not compensate you for your injuries.

You’ll Miss Out on Valuable Evidence

Medical documentation from a doctor that outlines what injuries you’ve sustained, how serious they are, what treatments you’ll need, and how they’ll affect your future can serve as valuable evidence in a claim. It can be difficult to collect fair compensation for your medical bills if your injuries are not documented.

You May Receive a Low-Ball Settlement

After a car crash, your goals should be to recover as efficiently as possible and obtain the compensation you deserve from the liable party’s insurer. If you don’t see a doctor right away, you may receive a low-ball settlement that does not properly compensate you for your damages.

Most Common Car Accident Injuries

While some car accident injuries are minor, others are serious and can lead to surgeries, physical therapy, and the need for home modifications. Some of the most common car accident injuries include:

Whiplash

Whiplash may occur when a car stops or turns suddenly and causes the neck to quickly whip back and forth. It can injure the muscles and tendons in your neck. If you have whiplash, you may notice your neck feels worse when you move it.

Fractures

The blunt force of a crash can lead to fractures. While any bone can break from the force of a car accident, the most common ones are the hands, wrists, arms, feet, and legs. If you notice swelling, redness, bruising, loss of function, or severe pain in any of your bones, you may have a fracture.

Traumatic Brain Injuries

The leading cause of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) is car accidents. These injuries arise when a blow damages the brain. Sadly, TBIs often lead to long-term disability.

Burns

Burns may occur if an accident causes a vehicle to catch on fire, or the skin comes into contact with chemicals, steam, or hot fluids. Severe burns may require extensive surgery and skin grafting.

Contact Us Today About the Importance of Seeking Medical Care After a Car Accident

If you sustain an injury in a car accident that was caused by another party’s negligence, your first priority should be to visit the doctor. After you’ve been examined, contact a Charlotte car accident lawyer from Randall & Stump, Criminal Defense Attorneys. We can guide you through the process of filing a claim and ensure your rights remain protected. Call us at (980) 237-4579, or reach out via our online form today to schedule a free case consultation.