A car accident can result in serious injuries. If you are lucky to walk out of a car wreck with minor bumps and bruises, or with no visible injuries at all, you might be tempted to believe you do not have to go to the hospital. However, this can be a costly mistake.
Seeking treatment immediately following a car accident is critical for your health as well as the integrity of your personal injury claim if the accident was caused by someone else’s negligent actions. Here is why you need to see a doctor as soon as possible following the accident.
Some injuries take much longer to manifest
A car wreck can leave you with a variety of injuries. While some injuries like cuts, broken bones and bruises are clearly apparent, others like internal organ injuries often take days or even weeks to manifest depending on the severity. Seeking treatment immediately after the crash will ensure that those hidden injuries are diagnosed and treated in time before they can escalate into life-threatening situations.
Even if you feel fine, your doctor will run tests to be sure that you haven’t suffered any hidden injuries.
Early treatment is important for your legal claims
If the accident that resulted in your injuries was attributable to someone else’s negligent actions, you may be entitled to compensation for the resulting economic and non-economic damages. However, you will not be compensated by simply claiming that you were hurt. In order to file a successful claim, you will need to provide proof of your injuries. And, you must prove that your injuries were caused by the accident in question. Seeking treatment immediately will ensure that you obtain a medical report that links your injuries to the accident in question. And this is important for litigating your personal injury claim.
A car accident can leave you injured, stressed and confused. Find out how you can protect your rights and interests while pursuing a personal injury claim after a car accident.