Yes, you should visit the doctor immediately after a car accident. When you are involved in a car accident, you should seek immediate medical attention even if you do not believe your injuries are severe. Many life-threatening injuries are not immediately apparent. Getting medical attention after a car accident can help protect your health and your right to recover compensation for damages.
Reasons You Should Never Skip the Doctor’s Visit After a Car Accident
The most important reason to seek immediate medical attention is to protect your health and well-being. Some serious injuries that may not show symptoms right away include:
- Traumatic brain injuries.
- Head and neck injuries, including whiplash.
- Blood clots.
- Spinal cord damage.
- Internal bleeding and organ damage.
- Bone fractures.
- Back injuries.
You may think you are not seriously injured and later discover you suffered damage that can be life-altering or even fatal.
Additionally, injuries can become worse without proper medical attention. For example, an untreated bone fracture may result in a more substantial break that cannot be treated as easily. It may require more invasive treatment, such as surgery, that would not have been necessary had the original fracture been treated promptly.
Skipping the doctor’s visit after a car accident can also lead to new injuries. For instance, if you suffer what you believe to be a minor back strain and it is not treated, you may develop new injuries. This is usually because, due to the first injury, you begin to compensate for it when exercising or even just sitting and standing. When you alter your movements or positioning to compensate for one injury, you can end up injuring other areas by using and straining them in ways they were not designed to be used.
Another important reason you should not skip the doctor’s visit after a car accident is that the insurance companies and defense attorneys will use it to their advantage. They can argue that your injuries are clearly not that serious since you didn’t even bother to see a doctor after your accident. Don’t give them that chance to downplay your injuries and deny or devalue your claim.
What Type of Doctors Should I See After a Car Accident?
When you are injured in a car accident, you should seek emergency medical care. After you are discharged from the emergency department, follow up with your primary care physician.
When you see your primary care physician, be sure to inform them that you were involved in an accident. Inform them about all injuries and concerns, even if they seem small and insignificant to you. These minor concerns can be symptoms of a much more serious problem. Ask your doctor to document your symptoms and concerns in your medical record.
Some primary care practitioners do not want to evaluate a patient after a car accident. This is often because they do not want to be a witness in a personal injury suit or because their practice does not allow them to bill the insurance company responsible for your injuries directly.
If your primary care doctor will not evaluate you after a car accident, an experienced car accident injury attorney can help you obtain the medical care you need. At Chris Corzo Injury Attorneys, we will refer you to a physician who understands car accident injuries and who will properly document your symptoms and even refer you to specialists when needed.
Seeing a primary care practitioner experienced in caring for car accident injury victims can help tremendously with your physical recovery and your ability to recover compensation for your damages. They can provide a treatment plan, order physical therapy, and other treatments as needed. They may also be available to testify on your behalf if required.
How Soon Should I Go To the Doctor After a Car Accident?
You should ideally seek immediate medical attention after a car accident by going to the emergency room. If you do not visit the ER after your accident, you need to see a doctor the following day. In any case, please see your doctor as soon as possible.
Many insurance companies will not take your claim seriously if you fail to see a doctor within the first 72 hours after a car accident. The speed at which you seek medical care plays a significant role in determining your chances of recovering full compensation.
Do I Need to Hire a Lawyer After a Car Accident?
Hiring an experienced car accident attorney after a car accident can significantly increase your chances of recovering top compensation for your damages.
Your attorney can investigate your accident to determine all possible causes and potentially liable parties. They can take fast action to preserve and uncover essential evidence to build your strongest case.
An experienced car accident attorney can help ensure that your damages are accurately established and valued, allowing you to determine a fair settlement for your claim. They will then work to negotiate that fair settlement on your behalf.
If a fair settlement is not reached, your attorney can take your case to trial to help recover the full compensation you deserve. You deserve to focus on recovering from your injuries and have peace of mind knowing that an experienced car accident injury attorney is working tirelessly to recover maximum compensation on your behalf.
Contact Chris Corzo Injury Attorneys Today
If you have been injured in a car accident that was not your fault, you deserve to recover compensation for your damages. Insurance companies work hard to deny and devalue valid claims, so you need an experienced car accident injury attorney to help protect your rights and get you the compensation you deserve.
At Chris Corzo Injury Attorneys, we can refer you to excellent medical providers who understand car accident injuries and how to treat them best so you can recover physically and financially.
Our attorneys have helped recover billions of dollars in compensation for clients. We have the experience, skills, and resources to help you secure maximum compensation. Call (225) 999-1111 or visit our contact page to schedule a free consultation to discuss your car accident claim.