After getting involved in a car accident, you may be tempted to avoid seeking medical attention. Perhaps the pain you are experiencing is not serious and you believe it will simply go away after resting for a few days or so.
However, there are many good reasons why you should not skip going to the doctor. Not only is medical treatment after an accident important to your health and well-being, but it is also beneficial to your claim or lawsuit.
The following are a few reasons why you should seek immediate medical treatment after a car accident:
The adrenaline rush following the crash may mask your injuries – A car accident can be an emotionally overwhelming situation, which is why most people involved in a collision experience an adrenaline rush that makes them not feel any pain at that point. But when the adrenaline rush wears off, then you may feel the brunt of the crash. Without proper medical care, the pain could worsen and so could other injuries that you are not aware of. Your doctor can determine the full extent of your injury and find the best treatment for a full recovery.
Your doctor can provide you with the proper documentation necessary for your claim – One of the most important steps for recovering compensation in an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit is obtaining medical records to prove the severity of your injury. When you see your doctor, you will start a paper trail that completely documents your injuries, how you suffered them, how they were treated, and your prognosis overall.
The insurance company may question your claim – Without seeing your doctor and obtaining the proper documentation to prove your injury, the other party or their insurance company may claim that your injuries do not exist and either offer you a low settlement or avoid paying you altogether. By failing to seek immediate medical care, you give the insurance adjuster the chance to question your credibility.
Whether you were in a minor fender bender or a serious collision, you need to seek your doctor immediately after the crash. Do not hesitate to obtain legal representation from a personal injury attorney to ensure your rights and best interests are protected during the legal process, while you recover from injury.
If you have been injured in a car accident in Arapahoe County, CO, contact the Law Office of Joseph A. Lazzara, P.C. today at (720) 809-8262 for a free case evaluation. Thousands of cases successfully handled in more than 25 years!