If you have been injured in an accident caused by another party, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses, including your medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering. One of the most important steps to take after an accident is to seek medical care. Delaying medical care can make things a lot worse.
Here are a few reasons why you should seek immediate medical attention after an accident.
Not All Injuries Show Immediate Symptoms
Some people may avoid seeing a doctor if they feel okay after an accident. However, it is important to understand that not all injuries, such as whiplash and concussions, present symptoms right away. You might feel fine after an accident, but then experience pain and other symptoms days or weeks later. That is why a Watkinsville, GA personal injury lawyer may advise you to seek medical care after an accident, even if you feel okay. A doctor should properly diagnose your injuries and then recommend the appropriate treatment.
You Do not Want Your Injuries to Get Worse
Getting injured is bad enough. If your injuries worsen as time goes on, they can become more difficult and expensive to treat. For example, let’s say that you sustained whiplash in a car accident. If you seek treatment for it right away, you may be able to make a full recovery fairly quickly. On the other hand, if you delay medical care, whiplash can lead to chronic neck pain and stiffness. That is no way to live. The sooner you start treatment, the more likely you are to make a full recovery.
You Do not Want to Put Your Personal Injury Claim in Jeopardy
If you plan to pursue compensation after an accident, you have another good reason to see a doctor immediately. If you wait too long to see a doctor after an accident, the at-fault party’s insurance company may try to argue that you are not as injured as you claim. After all, if you were truly injured, you would have seen a doctor immediately. Insurance companies care about the bottom line first and are always looking for ways to devalue your claim. You don’t want to give the insurance company any reason to deny your claim.
A Doctor Can Document Your Injuries
As the legal professionals at Norris Injury Law can confirm, seeing a doctor right after an accident can strengthen your personal injury claim. A doctor will ask you many questions during your initial appointment, such as how the accident happened, the symptoms you are experiencing and if you have previous injuries or not. Then, your doctor can properly document your injuries. The defendant’s insurance company will need medical information from the doctor to determine the extent of your injuries. Then, they can make an appropriate offer. Having medical records may help you get a higher settlement.
If you want to file a personal injury claim, you should schedule a consultation with a reputable personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.
