6 Reasons Why You Should Seek Medical Treatment After a Car Accident

There are around 40,000 road accidents in the US every year. Do you know what to do if you’re involved in one of them? Authorities and professionals recommend you seek medical treatment after a car accident.
 
With the shock of it all, you may not know what to do first. Do you call 911, get in touch with your insurance company, alert your loved ones, or get an auto accident lawyer?
 
No matter what happens, a doctor should be one of the first people you talk to. In this post, we’ll tell you why.
 

Why You Should See a Doctor Immediately After an Accident

 
You may not think that you need medical treatment after a car accident, but more times than not you do. Here’s why:
 

1. Treat Your Injuries

 
Car accidents can be devastating. For every person that is killed in a car crash, 8 are hospitalized. Often, they suffer from life-changing injuries.
 
Traumatic brain injuries are some of the most common effects, as they often occur when a driver or passenger’s head is hit against part of the car. These can range from mild concussions, which may go unnoticed at first, to long-lasting comas.
 
Neck and back injuries are also common, as spinal cords are easily damaged and discs can be herniated by the impact of a crash. Of course, there’s also whiplash. This occurs when the sudden movement of a car crash jerks the head forward, causing damage to the muscles and ligaments in the neck.
 
For pregnant women, it’s even more important to get checked out. This is because car accidents can make them more susceptible to complications, induce early labor, or even increase the likelihood of miscarriage.
 
No matter what kind of injuries you have, it’s crucial that you seek medical treatment after a car accident by a certified doctor. If you don’t, the effects could last for months, years, or even a lifetime.
 
Don’t take your chances. Head to a hospital or clinic at your earliest opportunity to see what kind of shape you’re in.
 

2. Get Evidence for Your Case

 
No matter how big or small your accident is, you’ll always need evidence to back up the fact that it happened. Photos, CCTV footage, and witness testimony are all great forms of evidence, but you also need medical records from your doctor. This will complete your case file and give you everything you need to move forward.
 

3. Identify Invisible Injuries

 
Some people walk away from car accidents relatively unscathed, feeling a little shaken up but otherwise fine. However, they end up heading to the hospital a few days later complaining of aches, pains and other symptoms.
 
This is because the effects of certain injuries don’t always show right away. Sometimes, it’s not until the shock has worn off that you realize how much pain or discomfort you’re in. In some cases, symptoms like confusion, dizziness or blurred vision develop later down the line.
 
Even if you look and feel totally in-tact, you should always visit a doctor after a car accident. They will check everything for you, looking out for subtle injuries that you may not be aware of.
 

4. Strengthen Your Injury Claim

 
If you weren’t responsible for your auto accident, you may be able to make a personal injury claim for compensation for the cost of medical treatment, transport, time off work, and more.
 
However, it won’t always be easy. No matter how cut and dry your case may seem, you can bet that the other party will try to place the blame on you and discredit your case. In some cases, you may have to fight tooth and nail to prove that you’re telling the truth.
 
If you have the documentation to back your claims up, you won’t have to. Provide detailed, up-to-date medical records, and no one will be able to argue with you.
 
It’s important that you do this right away. If you delay your visit to the doctor, it will be difficult to prove that your injuries are as severe as you claim, or that the accident was the cause.
 

5. Get the Upper Hand

 
Your insurance company is bound to put up a fight once you receive medical treatment after a car accident, so you’ll need to be prepared to negotiate.
 
Negotiation is a key part of any legal process. You or your legal representative may have to go back and forth several times in order to get a compromise that suits both parties.
 
If you have a doctor on your side, you’ll have much more power during this negotiation process. That way, you won’t be expected to back down easily. You’ll also be more likely to get the amount of compensation you’re looking for.
 

6. Provide Proof of Expenses

 
As well as proving that you suffered injuries as a result of your car accident, you’ll also need to provide evidence of how much they cost you.
 
If you don’t see a doctor and choose to treat your injuries at home by yourself, it will be almost impossible to prove how much you spent doing so. On the other hand, if you visit a doctor, they’ll give you a detailed breakdown of your medical expenses, all with official stamps and letterheads that prove their authenticity.
 
Seeking medical treatment can be expensive at first, but if you do it the right way, you can be reimbursed in full. If you’re worried about spending the money, don’t be. With a strong claim, a law firm will make sure you get your money back and more.
 

Let Us Fight for You

 
Making a personal injury claim after a car accident can be difficult.
 
Like any legal process, it often long and arduous, with lots of paperwork to fill out and jargon to translate along the way.
 
When you have an attorney, they’ll handle all of that for you. At Sweet Lawyers, we specialize in car accident cases. We can guide you through the entire process, streamlining everything and making sure you’re kept fully informed at every step of the way.
 
We’ll ensure that you get the compensation you’re entitled to at the end of it all. To find out more about how we can help you, contact us for a consultation.