Car accidents can be jarring, leaving victims shaken and unsure about their next steps. After filing a police report and assessing the damage, a question that may arise is whether or not you need to see a doctor following your car accident. Besides ensuring your health and safety, seeking medical attention after an accident can play a crucial role in insurance claims and potential lawsuits. Work with a Middlesex County, NJ car accident attorney after your accident to learn more about what next steps are important and get help filing a claim.
Common Injuries From a Car Accident
Car accidents can produce a variety of injuries for drivers and passengers involved. Depending on how the car was struck, the speed they were traveling, and more, injuries can range from mild to extremely serious. Consider the following common injuries that people involved in a car accident may sustain.
- Concussion
- Whiplash
- Broken bones
- Fractures
- Burns
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
If you are suffering from any of the above or more it is crucial that you seek medical treatment.
Why is it Important to See a Doctor After an Accident?
Seeing a doctor and getting medical treatment after a car accident is important for several reasons. It can benefit you and your legal situation in the following ways.
- Health: It is important that you prioritize your health and well-being after an accident. Even if you feel fine immediately after the crash, some injuries may not show symptoms until hours or days later. When you seek medical attention sooner rather than later you can ensure any potential injuries are discovered, diagnosed, and treated early. Getting prompt medical help can prevent complications or worsening of an ailment.
- Insurance Claims: Seeing a doctor can also help your chances of success in an insurance claim. Insurance companies typically require documented proof of your injuries to process a claim. If you do not have these medical records it can make it more difficult for you to obtain compensation. The longer you wait to get treated the more likely it is that the insurance company can suggest that your injuries are unrelated to the accident or not severe enough to warrant receiving compensation.
- Lawsuit/claim: Even if you haven’t thought about pursuing legal action just yet, you should get evaluated to benefit a potential lawsuit or claim. If you decide to take legal action against the negligent party later on you need to establish the extent and severity of your injuries as well as provide evidence of your medical expenses, loss of income due to an inability to work, pain and suffering, etc. If you do not seek medical attention or follow treatments recommended by a doctor it can be used against you to show that your injuries were not serious or you did not take reasonable steps to get better.
Seeing a doctor is important in ensuring your health is taken care of but also to ensure you have written documentation of your injuries and diagnoses. Work with a skilled attorney after your car accident.
