The Importance of Seeking Medical Attention After a Car Accident
Every year, thousands of Texans sustain injuries in car accidents. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, car accidents across the state result in over 128,000 injuries per year, of which more than 2,000 occur in Corpus Christi and other parts of Nueces County.
Many car accident victims skip visiting a doctor after being involved in a car accident. Some think that their pain will go away on its own, while others think that they were not injured at all. However, there are several reasons why it is important to seek medical attention immediately after a car crash.
Receiving medical care as soon as possible is not only beneficial for your health but also protects your right to compensation. An insurance company may deny your claim if you fail to visit a doctor within a certain amount of time following the accident.
Consider contacting a car accident attorney in Corpus Christi to protect your rights and help you fight for the compensation to which you are entitled after your crash. Our knowledgeable attorneys at The Torres Law Firm are prepared to evaluate your case and explain your legal options.
Common Injuries After a Collision
In the United States, approximately 4.4 million people suffer injuries in motor vehicle accidents each year, according to the Association for Safe International Road Travel (ASIRT). Those injuries range from bruises and whiplash to broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, and paralysis.
Some of the most common injuries that result from car accidents include:
Traumatic brain injuries
Whiplash
Concussion
Back and neck injuries
Broken bones
Spinal cord injuries
Paralysis
Internal bleeding
Organ damage
Knee injuries
Herniated discs
Soft tissue injuries
Not all serious injuries are apparent immediately after the crash. Symptoms may not show up days or weeks after the accident. If not diagnosed in a timely manner, injuries resulting from a car accident may lead to permanent damage, disabilities, or even death.
4 Reasons to Seek Immediate Medical Attention After a Car Accident
There are at least four reasons why it is vital to seek medical attention immediately after being involved in a motor vehicle accident:
For your own sake. Even if you think that you were not injured or your injuries seem minor, it is still a good idea to see a doctor after a car accident. Often, symptoms do not appear for days or weeks after the traumatic event. The sooner you begin the medical treatment, the faster you are likely to recover.
Documentation of your injuries. It is best to have medical records documenting your injuries and physical condition immediately after the accident. The longer you wait to get a medical check-up after a car crash, the more difficult it will be to prove the extent of your injuries and obtain the compensation to which you are entitled.
Compliance with insurance requirements. Going to a hospital or emergency room after a car accident is also important to comply with insurance requirements. Many insurance policies set a limited amount of time for policyholders involved in car crashes to seek medical care to be eligible for compensation.
An insurance company can use your failure to seek medical attention against you. If you do not seek medical attention immediately after being involved in a car crash and then demand compensation later, the insurance company is likely to argue that your injury was not serious enough in an attempt to devalue or deny your claim.
Follow Through with The Treatment Plan
While it is critical to seek medical attention as soon as possible after your car accident, it is just as important to follow through with your treatment plan. You need to follow your doctor’s orders to recover faster and strengthen your claim.
If you miss doctor’s appointments or fail to follow the prescribed treatment plan, the insurance company is likely to argue that your injury is not as serious as you claim in order to pay you as little as possible or deny coverage altogether.
Get the Experienced Legal Support You Need
A car accident is always a scary, even traumatizing, experience—regardless of how severe your injuries are. The importance of seeking medical attention after a car crash cannot be overstated, but the same can be said about speaking with an attorney.
A skilled car accident attorney will help you handle your claim to fight for the compensation you need to move on with your life, even if the insurance company is trying to undervalue or deny your claim because you failed to see a doctor immediately after the crash.
At The Torres Law Firm, our experienced car accident attorneys in Corpus Christi, TX, are committed to helping you with your claim. We proudly serve clients in Corpus Christi, Dallas, Fort Worth, and across the state of Texas. Set up an initial consultation today.