Seeking Medical Attention After a Car Accident

You should always seek immediate medical attention following a car accident, even if you do not feel your injuries are serious. With over 6 million car accidents in the United States yearly since 2014, nearly 2 million accidents result in injuries. In many cases, victims do not feel that their injuries warrant immediate attention, however, this may be to shock, adrenaline or other trauma preventing the victim from fully recognizing the full extent of their injuries. Anyone who has been in any type of car accident should be evaluated by a medical professional as soon as possible.

How Long Should You Wait?

The best advice is to seek medical attention immediately, either from the medical professional arriving in the ambulance or at the nearest emergency room. Oftentimes, people are under stress or shock and do not realize the true extent or severity of their injuries. Always err on the side of caution and seek evaluation and treatment for any injuries you may have. Not only will this ensure that your medical injuries are treated appropriately as soon as possible, but it will also provide a solid foundation for a legal claim in case you make the decision at a later time to pursue a lawsuit to receive compensation for your injuries from a negligent party.

Injuries That Take Time To Exhibit Symptoms

Some injuries that are extremely serious or even life-threatening may take time for the symptoms to develop. The lack of immediate symptoms often lulls victims of car accidents into the belief that they have no injuries at all. Some of the injuries that take time to develop significant symptoms can include internal bleeding, traumatic brain injuries, bone fractures, concussions, whiplash, or internal organ damage.

Be Cautious When Visiting With Insurance Companies

Insurance companies have various tactics to attempt to avoid paying full and fair settlements to victims. Some of those tactics include asking seemingly harmless questions regarding how you are feeling, or if you are feeling better. If you answer that you are feeling better, this may be used against you to reduce the amount of settlement the insurance company is willing to offer you. Additionally, they may ask you for all of your medical records. You have no legal obligation to give an insurance company complete access to all of your medical records, only those that pertain to this specific accident. However, when victims allow access to their complete medical records, oftentimes insurance companies will attempt to discover something in your medical history that could be deemed a preexisting condition and refuse to pay your settlement. In other cases, an insurance company will simply mail you a check saying that it is for “part” of your settlement. If you ever cash a check from an insurance company, it will completely waive all of your legal rights to receive any additional compensation at a later time.

Reach Out to Us Today for Help

If you suffered any kind of injuries following a car accident, you should be seen by a medical professional for a full evaluation as soon as possible. Contact the experienced Columbia personal injury attorneys at The Stanley Law Group at 803-799-4700 to negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf. Schedule a free consultation regarding your car accident today.

Resource:

iii.org/fact-statistic/facts-statistics-highway-safety

https://www.thestanleylawgroup.com/pain-and-suffering-settlement-examples/