Should I go to the hospital after a car accident?

Knowing when or if you should seek medical care after a car crash is a common concern. Car crash victims should visit a doctor or seek medical care as soon as possible, even if there are no obvious signs of severe injury. It is important to note that low speed crashes that do not set off the airbags or cause severe damage to your car can still cause injuries that require attention. For example, these injuries can include head, neck, and spine injuries that may not be noticed right after the crash.

Why should you seek medical treatment right away?

• Symptoms May Not Appear Until Days or Weeks After the CrashYou can not always assume that you will know if you are injured right after a car crash occurs. It is true that victims usually can tell if they have sustained an injury. But some victims will not be able to tell they are injured until hours or even days after a crash. This is due to adrenaline. Immediately after a crash people experience a boost in their adrenaline. Adrenaline blocks pain receptors. Once the adrenaline wears off, car crash victims will be able to feel their pain. Because of this, what seems like a minor injury at the time of the crash could turn out to be a major injury. For this reason, it is best to see a doctor to get the injury evaluated.
• Delayed Medical Treatment Could Affect Your Personal Injury ClaimSeeking medical treatment as soon as possible after your car crash is important if you plan to file a personal injury claim. In a personal injury action, the at-fault party’s insurance company is responsible for compensating you for the injuries you have suffered in a car crash. But no insurance company will pay you without first reviewing medical records. Even if you don’t know if you will be filing a claim, you will need to seek treatment in order to keep the option open to you.

  The insurance company’s goal is to pay out as little as possible. Delayed medical care can help the insurance company justify paying you less for your injuries. They may argue that the injuries are not as serious as you are claiming because you did not seek medical care immediately after the car crash. These arguments are not always effective. But if this type of argument is effective, it can severely limit the amount you are paid.

  You can avoid this by seeking medical care right after a car crash.

  Remember that delayed medical treatment could affect your personal injury claim because the longer you wait to get treatment, the harder it is to relate your injuries to the crash. If you want to pursue a personal injury claim, you will want as much evidence as possible that establishes the car crash as the main cause of your injuries. Visiting a hospital or your physician will provide you with the medical records that are valuable evidence during negotiations between your personal injury attorney and the insurance company before and during trial.

For a free legal consultation, call (725) 900-9000

If the car crash which caused your injury is not your fault, or if your insurance company is refusing to pay for your crash related health care or other costs, you should call a personal injury lawyer. The attorneys at Van Law Firm are dedicated to making sure you get the compensation that you deserve and consultations are always free.