Reasons You Should Seek Immediate Medical Attention After an Accident

In the aftermath of an accident, you may not recognize the need to go to the hospital if you are not in pain and cannot see any visible injuries. At Longo Biggs Injury Law LLC, we recommend going to the hospital after an accident, even with no visible injuries. When you seek treatment, a medical professional gives a detailed account of your internal and external injuries, which is necessary if you intend to file a personal injury claim for compensation. Here are some reasons your personal injury lawyer may recommend seeking immediate medical attention after an accident:

Establish a Medical Record

Medical examination provides a medical record indicating the extent of your injuries, the treatments administered, and the anticipated recovery. The records also indicate the date and time you received treatment, proving a connection between the accident and your injuries. Establishing this connection is necessary because the opposing party may claim that your injuries resulted from an unrelated event. Besides treatment records, you need an itemized bill from the hospital indicating your treatment costs. Your personal injury lawyer uses these documents as evidence of the damage caused by the accident to support your claim.

Identify and Treat Hidden Injuries

Accidents can result in soft tissue injuries like whiplash and concussions that may not be apparent immediately after the accident. The shock of the accident can also keep you from feeling pain until hours later. Early injury detection prevents serious complications from seemingly minor injuries. Through imaging, your doctor can tell whether a bump on the head has caused a brain bleed or swelling that may cause neurological issues. Having proof of these hidden injuries and their related costs supports your pursuit of fair compensation. If the accident also involved your loved ones, taking them to the hospital allows the doctor to promptly address injuries that may put their health at risk. Your loved ones’ medical records provide evidence when pursuing compensation for money spent on their treatment during your claim.

Receive Thorough Treatment

A medical exam helps your doctor determine whether you need urgent care or if you can get treatment from a primary physician. Based on their assessment of your injuries, your doctor may recommend follow-up treatments or refer you to a specialist to help you get the care you need. Your medical records indicate every additional intervention your doctor prescribed to aid your recovery. Your attorney uses this record to argue for the inclusion of the cost of these therapies in your compensation.

Protect Your Legal Rights

Insurance companies require documented proof of accident-related injuries to promptly compensate claimants. Delaying medical treatment could cast doubts on the validity of your claim and may leave you liable for some of your medical expenses. With clear medical records, your attorney has a basis for settlement negotiations as it becomes easier for them to show the severity of your injuries. Should your personal injury case go to court, having records that show you sought immediate treatment after the accident could work in your favor. Your timely actions show the judge that you care about your health, encouraging them to award you fair compensation.

Avoid Financial Burdens

Depending on the severity of your injuries, you might need to take time off work to recover from the accident. Attending physical therapy sessions and follow-up doctor’s appointments can occupy some of your working hours, affecting your income. If you’re a blue-collar worker, accident-related injuries can cost you your job if you can’t do physically intensive work. Your attorney helps you claim compensation for lost wages and other costs incurred to support your recovery. This financial support helps alleviate the strain on your finances as you recover from the accident.

Address Post-accident Trauma

Besides their physical impact, the trauma from accidents affects your mental and emotional well-being. You may experience symptoms like post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, or depression in the aftermath of an accident. Seeking medical attention allows a doctor to assess your mental state and provide resources to help you navigate the psychological effects of the accident. If their assessment indicates an impact on your mental health, your doctor will refer you to a specialist to help you overcome the trauma from the accident. Seeing a therapist also helps you push through physical therapy and other challenging moments in your recovery.

Build a Strong Case With a Personal Injury Lawyer

Recovery from an accident is a challenging experience, which becomes harder when you have financial struggles. If your accident resulted from a third party’s negligence, hire a personal injury lawyer from Longo Biggs Injury Law, LLC. Our experienced team will help you pursue compensation from the at-fault party. Our attorneys use your medical records from the hospital as evidence, helping them negotiate a fair compensation amount. Contact us today for help with your personal injury case.