Why Obtaining Medical Care Quickly is Important After a Car Accident

The period of time following a car accident is quite hectic for victims. They may be unsure about what to do next. However, one of the most important steps is to obtain medical care as soon as possible. Certain injuries may not become apparent or visible for some time but could become worse if left untreated.

Our Maryland car accident attorneys discuss the many reasons you should see a doctor to assess your injuries and follow his or her treatment plan after a car accident. If you are unsure if you are eligible to file a claim, we encourage that you contact our legal team anytime 24/7 for a free, no obligation consultation.

Safeguard Your Health

First, you want to safeguard your health after a collision. A trained medical professional can determine the extent and severity of your injuries and prescribe treatment for your recovery.

Seek Medical Attention Immediately

When emergency services arrive at the scene, be sure to follow any medical advice and let them take you to the hospital to get checked out. A doctor will be able to perform a detailed examination and diagnostics to assess your condition.

Reduce the Risk of Hidden or Unforeseen Injuries

After a car accident, adrenaline levels in the body are higher, which can mask symptoms of injuries. You may not feel pain until many hours or even days afterward. Obtaining medical attention could reduce the risk of unseen injuries and worsening your condition.

Follow Your Doctor’s Orders

Once you see a doctor, you need to follow his or her prescribed course of treatment. This may include taking prescription medications, doing physical therapy, or undergoing any recommended surgeries or medical tests. Following these orders could improve your chances of recovery.

Safeguard Your Insurance Claim

Secondary to your health is protecting your insurance claim. Insurance companies will find any reason to pay as little as possible by devaluing or denying claims altogether. Be careful about what you tell them because your words could be twisted or misconstrued, which could impact the outcome of your claim.

Review Medical Records and Document Treatment

When you tell your doctor you have been involved in an accident, he or she documents that fact in your medical record, as well as his or her medical opinion that your injuries were caused by that accident. This can become an important piece of evidence for your claim, connecting the accident to your injuries.

As you progress through treatment, document the experience. Your attorney may instruct you to keep a daily journal where you write down your symptoms, pain level, how the injury impacts your daily life and other important information. This journal can be used to support that you followed your doctor’s treatment plan and show how damaging the injury has been to your overall well-being. This is often helpful when pursuing damages for pain and suffering.

How Car Accident Victims Are Treated By Insurance Companies

You want to do everything you can to not only ensure you recover as fully as possible, but to protect yourself in the event of an insurance claim.

Waiting to seek medical care opens the door for the insurance company to deny that your injuries were caused by the accident. The insurance adjuster may claim your injuries were not as severe as claimed because you waited, or that they were caused by some other event that happened in between the time of the accident and the time you sought medical treatment.

Even any deviation from the doctor’s orders could be used against you. The insurer may say your injuries are not as bad as claimed, or that by failing to follow these orders, your actions made your injury worse.

Contact a Lawyer From Our Firm for Help

If you were injured in a car accident caused by negligence, you may be eligible for compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. The Law Offices of Peter T. Nicholl have helped many injury victims pursue maximum compensation for the damages they have suffered.

Schedule a risk-free consultation today to have one of our lawyers review your situation. If you choose to pursue legal action, there are no upfront fees – we are only paid if we recover compensation for you.

Call 410-244-7005 or complete our Free Case Review form.