The Importance of Seeking Medical Attention After a Car Accident7 min read

No one ever plans to be injured in a car accident. Car accidents are unexpected, disrupting events that can affect you and your family for years to come–especially if you have been injured. Seeking medical treatment after a car accident is almost always necessary. It is important to take care of your health right away after any collision. In addition, seeking medical attention after a car accident is an essential step in the legal process. 

Pursuing and achieving damages can give you the opportunity to heal and care for your family. Healthcare is expensive and sometimes the only way to ensure that you are able to afford the care you need is to bring a lawsuit for damages. The lawyers at the Hampton, Virginia-based Smith Law Center are unmatched when it comes to their experience with car accident litigation. Contact us online or call (757) 244-7000 to talk to a car accident attorney about the specifics of your case today.

Do I Need Medical Attention After a Car Accident? 

After a car accident, it is essential that you seek professional medical attention. With more vehicles on the road than ever before, it is no wonder that car accidents continue to be a pervasive cause of injury and death. The CDC estimates that car accidents are responsible for 100 deaths each day and send 2.1 million people to the emergency room each year. 

Immediately after a car accident, your adrenaline is running high and you may find it difficult to think straight. This flood of adrenaline may be masking pain or underlying injuries. Traumatic brain injuries are often called “invisible injuries” because they may not manifest until much later. Even if you don’t feel injured, it is important that you are examined by a medical professional so that you can be checked for injuries like these. 

Car accident injuries range from bumps and bruises to major, life-altering injuries. In some cases, bringing a lawsuit and collecting damages is the only way to afford the healthcare you need. 

There are a few different types of damages that you may be entitled to. Economic damages awarded following a car accident may include loss of wages, compensation for medical bills, or any other costs associated with your medical care. Damages can be awarded for pain and suffering and the emotional toll a car accident may have on you. If an action is especially egregious, a court will award punitive damages which are damages meant to explicitly punish the offending party. 

When Should I Seek Medical Attention After a Car Accident? 

It is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible after a car accident, not only for your own health and safety but so that your legal team can begin gathering evidence. If you plan to bring a lawsuit against the party who caused your injury, it is important that we gather evidence and begin building a case as soon as possible. 

Even if you don’t plan on pursuing legal action against an opposing party, consulting with a lawyer after a car accident might be a good idea. Insurance claims can be complicated and confusing and your insurance provider may even reject your claim. A lawyer can ensure that you are making the proper filings and claims and that your insurance company is providing you coverage. 

Common injuries sustained in car accidents include: 

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries 
• Broken bones
• Internal bleeding
• Nerve damage
• Whiplash injuries

Again, you may experience delayed injury symptoms after any kind of motor vehicle accident. You may even leave the accident scene feeling completely fine–that does not mean that you are uninjured! The onset of injury symptoms may not be noticeable at first or may set in later. Delayed injury symptoms may include: 

• Headaches
• Swelling or numbness
• Neck and shoulder pain 

If you experience any of these symptoms following an accident, you should seek medical attention immediately. 

How Can Seeing a Doctor After a Car Accident Benefit My Claim? 

Seeking medical treatment after a car accident is a time-sensitive matter. Not only is it the most important step in protecting your health, but it is an important step in beginning your car accident litigation case. The documentation of your injuries and medical treatments will become important evidence if you decide to sue for damages. 

See a doctor as soon as you can after being involved in a car accident. If you cannot see a doctor immediately, seek medical attention within the first few days after your accident. The longer you wait, the longer it will take for you to start feeling better. 

Once you have safeguarded your health and wellness, it is time to start thinking about obtaining legal representation. Seeing a doctor will give you a good idea of what types of medical treatment you may need going forward.

Contact an Experienced Car Accident Attorney

The experienced lawyers at the Smith Law Center are all too familiar with the effects of car accidents and are skilled at litigating these complicated matters. When choosing a lawyer to represent you after a car accident, it is important to consider an attorney’s experience and past results in the type of litigation you are hiring them for. 

The attorneys at the Smith Law Center have the skillset and training to achieve results for you. Their accomplishments include a jury verdict of $10.5 million dollars to a woman who suffered a closed head injury in a collision as well as a record jury award of $7.5 million dollar award to a woman who was injured in a car accident. 

You and your case matter and you deserve expert representation. Contact the caring lawyers at the Smith Law Center online or call (757) 244-7000 to learn how pursuing legal action may be the right step for you.