Why it’s important to seek medical attention after a car accident

Sustaining an injury from a car accident no matter how minimal should never go untreated. Seeing a doctor right away poses many benefits to your future health as well as your active insurance claim.

If you wait too long to receive medical attention for an accident-related injury it becomes more difficult to prove the validity of your injury and how it occurred, especially if the case is closed and no injury was ever documented.

Protect yourself by taking the following precautions:

· For traumatic injuries

Call 911 immediately after any major injury occurs from a car crash. If someone suffers a traumatic injury, tend to the wounded party (if you can) and do your best to keep everyone calm until help arrives.

The police will be on the scene to gather details about the collision, they will interview everyone involved in the crash along with any witnesses to it. The police officer will then file an official report about the accident which will indicate that injuries were sustained as a result. It’s important for medical and insurance purposes that this information is documented.

· For minor injuries

Minor injuries should be treated as soon as they happen. If you are convinced it’s not that bad, have it checked anyway. Certain internal injuries can worsen with time; it will be helpful to have the source of the pain documented as early as possible.

As stated above, it will be much more difficult to prove the validity of your injury if you don’t document it in time. With an attorney’s guidance, contact your insurance company and file a claim right away. The other driver(s) will also be required to give their version of how the accident occurred and if they were injured as a result. Even if you’re just feeling a little sore, make sure to have it noted.

Don’t overlook the following:

· Medical expenses add up

It’s no secret that medical treatment is very expensive. Between doctor visits, potential hospital stays, medications, treatment plans and therapy, the costs add up quickly. If your injury wasn’t documented on the insurance claim, you could become liable to cover these costs.

· Keep records of all medical treatment

Create a file for all receipts, records of doctor visits, copies of prescriptions, test results, and bills associated with your injury. Keep a record of any specialists you’ve seen along with the doctor who referred you. This is an effective way to ensure all injury related costs are accounted for.

If you have any questions or concerns, it’s always advisable to contact an experienced personal injury law firm for sound advice.