Each year in the United States, there is an average of 84 injuries per 100 million vehicle miles traveled. People travel well over 3 trillion miles every year. That’s a lot of car accident injuries.
If you’ve been involved in a car accident, you might be wondering what happens after the accident.
How do you deal with insurance companies? Do you need to hire an attorney? Should you see a doctor? That last question is one we hear often.
This post will discuss whether you should see a doctor after an accident. We’ll also talk about why doing so is so important.
Let’s dive In.
Why See a Doctor After an Accident?
The period after an accident can be stressful and overwhelming. As such, people who don’t believe they’re injured often don’t want to see a doctor.
Unfortunately, refusing to see a doctor after an accident could put your health at risk.
Car accident injuries can occur even at speeds as low as 5 miles an hour. What’s worse, many of them have symptoms that may not be obvious. In fact, some symptoms can lie dormant for weeks or even months after the accident.
Because of this, we recommend always seeing a doctor after an accident. A skilled medical professional can screen you for hidden injuries. They’ll also ensure that you are getting the treatment you need to recover from your car accident.
If they find any injuries you were unaware of, you can make a treatment plan. This prevents the injury from worsening down the road or limiting your mobility, comfort, or productivity.
The Benefits of Seeing a Doctor After an Accident
We’ve said it before, and we will say it again: it is essential to seek medical attention after any car accident. The reason for
this is simple: your health is your priority.
Even if you don’t feel that you were injured during the accident, you could have hidden medical conditions or injuries that can put your health or life at risk.
Want to take care of yourself and promote healing after a car accident? If so, the best option is to get a professional opinion as quickly as possible.
Here are a few of the many benefits of seeing a doctor after an accident:
- Seeing a doctor is the best way to assess your current medical condition. It also helps identify underline injuries or conditions you may not be aware of.
- Your insurance company will want proof that you sought professional medical attention. Additionally, you will need a doctor’s documentation of any injuries to receive an insurance payout.
- If you become involved in a lawsuit after an accident, your medical records will help establish evidence of injury. This protects your best interest during the proceedings.
- Seeking medical attention provides a factual basis for any legal claims you may make. Your car insurance will probably require these documents to pay your claim.
- Getting a doctor’s opinion helps you establish a clear plan for your recovery and ongoing health.
- Medical attention can help prevent worse health outcomes or emergencies related to an unseen injury.
When Should you See a Doctor After an Accident?
If you’ve been involved in a car accident, we recommend seeing a doctor as quickly as possible.
Even if your injuries are not severe enough to warrant an ambulance ride, or you believe you were not injured, we recommend going to urgent care or making an appointment with your primary physician within 24 hours of the accident.
This time frame is critically important. Remember: certain medical conditions and injuries (like spinal fractures) may have no outward symptoms. Still, they are incredibly dangerous and present a real risk to your health.
A comprehensive evaluation at the hands of a medical professional is the only way to identify hidden conditions like these. It’s also the only way to ensure that you are getting all of the necessary treatment.
Will You Also Need a Personal Injury Attorney?
If you have been injured during a car accident, we recommend hiring a personal injury lawyer.
The reasons for this are simple:
Even an injury that seems straightforward may not be. Whiplash, for example, can require months of ongoing treatments, rehabilitation, and medical bills. This can put even the most financially solvent people in a tight position.
You deserve a payout ample enough to cover your medical bills. Your payout should also replace any lost income, and help you on the road to healing.
Our team of personal injury lawyers will work with you, your doctor, and your insurance company. We’ll ensure your best interests are protected and that you get the payout you need to keep moving with your life.
Hiring a personal injury attorney also helps prevent you from missing deadlines, and from dealing with the insurance company on your own, as well as having to acquire lengthy medical records. Having us on your side helps ensure the best possible outcome for your case.
Our attorneys are paid on a contingency basis. This means that we receive our fee based on your settlement. In other words, we don’t get paid unless you do. This ensures that your best interests are always the driving factor and that we are here to always protect you.
Ward & Barnes: Your Team of Advocates After an Accident
If you’ve been injured during a car accident, our team is here for you. We will work with your doctor, insurance company,
and other parties to secure a payout that covers your financial needs and helps you put the entire episode behind you.
Our experienced personal injury lawyers work with clients in Pensacola, Florida, and the surrounding area. We are here to answer any questions you may have about the post-accident process or proceedings.
Contact us today to learn more.