The Importance of Seeking Medical Attention After an Accident

A car accident is one of the most frustrating and upsetting things that can happen to us in our everyday lives. Understandably, if you were involved in a car accident, you probably want to return to your normal life as soon as possible. However, you should never underestimate the importance of seeking medical attention.  

Instead of brushing off the accident and trying to go about your day as if nothing happened, you should consider going to a hospital to get yourself checked out by a qualified doctor. Attorney Walter Gabriel can explain the benefits of seeing a doctor after an accident, even if you feel perfectly fine. The Law Firm of Walter Gabriel, LLC serves victims of car accidents in Atlanta, Georgia, and the surrounding area, including Dunwoody and Alexandria.  

Common Injuries After a Car Accident

A car accident could result in several injuries, some of which are not immediately apparent. Here are the most common ones: 

• whiplash  

• back and neck injuries 

• spinal cord damage 

• traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) 

• concussions 

• bruising and lacerations  

• fractures and broken bones  

• internal injuries  

Contrary to popular belief, you may not always feel pain in the aftermath of impact because adrenaline and stress mask many symptoms. For example, symptoms of a TBI or concussion might emerge hours or even days after the accident, according to the Centers for Disease Control. That is why you need to get yourself checked after the collision, even if you feel like everything is okay. 

Reasons to Seek Medical Attention After a Car Crash

If you are hesitant about going to a hospital or seeing a doctor after a car crash, here are the five reasons why you should consider seeking medical attention:  

• Some injuries may not be immediately apparent. The force of a car accident can cause internal injuries that may not be visible to the naked eye. For example, you may have suffered a concussion or whiplash without realizing it. These types of injuries can be incredibly dangerous if left unaddressed.  

• Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent long-term damage. Seeking medical attention after a car accident can also help ensure that any injuries you may have sustained are diagnosed and treated early on. This can help prevent long-term damage and ensure that you make a full recovery. 

• Insurance companies may require medical documentation. If you plan on filing an insurance claim following a car accident, you will likely need medical documentation to support your claim. This means that seeking medical attention immediately after the incident can help strengthen your claim and increase your chances of receiving the compensation you deserve. 

• Peace of mind. If you seek medical treatment right away, you will receive a proper diagnosis and treatment and can feel confident that you have done everything possible to protect your health and well-being moving forward. 

The benefits of seeking immediate medical attention after a car accident for both protecting your health and protecting your legal rights cannot be overstated.  

How Can Seeing a Doctor After a Car Accident Benefit My Claim? 

When you see a doctor after a car accident, it immediately creates a record linking your injuries to the accident. Every detail, such as the intensity of the impact, and other medical factors will be taken into consideration.  

This record might be useful in court proceedings if your claim goes to trial. If your claim is not contested, then your medical record will be used in reaching a fair settlement. Even if you feel that you were not injured in the accident, getting examined by a doctor should be your highest priority. There are underlying injuries such as whiplash, which may even emerge after some days. Seeking medical attention immediately after an accident helps your case and protects your overall health. 

What Happens if You Do Not Seek Medical Attention?

When you are involved in a car accident, your body will respond to the impact even if you do not feel injured. Some injuries, like internal bleeding, might not be apparent for days or even weeks. By putting off medical attention, you are not only putting yourself at risk but also hurting your chances of obtaining a favorable case outcome.  

Waiting too long before seeking medical attention will give the insurance company a reason to question the legitimacy of your injuries. Health and legal ramifications are both good enough reasons to see a doctor soon after being involved in an accident. 

What to Do After Seeking Medical Attention

After seeking medical attention after a car accident, double-check your insurance policy. Consider contacting a personal injury claim attorney if you want to get the compensation to which you are entitled.  

Getting compensated for injuries when there is no medical documentation can be challenging. The last thing you want is for the compensation process to be unnecessarily prolonged because of these issues. If more than 48 hours have passed from the date of your accident and you did not seek immediate medical attention, the need for legal representation is greatly increased because the insurance company is likely to deny or devalue your claim due to its inability to verify the cause of your injuries.  

Take Your Next Steps Forward

If you have sought medical attention after a car accident, you should be ready to take your next step forward. Attorney Walter Gabriel at The Law Firm of Walter Gabriel, LLC can help evaluate your case and determine a fair settlement amount based on the severity of your injuries and the circumstances of your accident. Get a free case evaluation by contacting The Law Firm of Walter Gabriel, LLC today.