Accident victims often feel confused, frustrated, and anxious after suffering injuries during a car accident. These individuals often wonder whether they need to go to a hospital or not. Every car accident is unique, and no two victims will experience the same set of injuries. However, the majority of accident victims need to go to the hospital after being involved in a car accident. Ideally, you should go to the hospital from the accident scene so you can be assessed, diagnosed, and treated.
Establishing a Record of Your Injuries
Car accidents are traumatizing. One minute you are enjoying your day while driving down the road, and the next, you find yourself in physical pain and shock from the force of the impact you experience during the accident. Due to the serious nature of car accidents, it is important that you seek medical treatment as soon as possible after the collision. If you can get out of your automobile, then you should contact 911 and wait for an ambulance to take you to the hospital.
Sometimes accident victims only experience minor injuries that seem not to warrant a trip to the hospital. This way of thinking can cause problems later on if you pursue a personal injury lawsuit. You may have suffered car accident injuries that will not produce symptoms until weeks or months after the date of the incident. Sometimes an accident victim may believe they only suffered a few scratches and bruises; however, a concussion may not produce symptoms until some time has passed after the accident.
You need to go to the hospital so you can be assessed by a physician. It is possible that you suffered injuries that will not produce any discernible symptoms – such as internal injuries – at least right away. If you do not create a record of your injuries and your medical treatment, then you may have difficulty establishing your damages later on during a civil lawsuit. More importantly, you may be putting your own health at risk by not seeking treatment when in fact you are seriously injured and may just not know it. Obtaining medical treatment early on can help you be in a stronger position when you assert your legal claims against the parties responsible for your injuries.
Medical Bills and Medical Treatment
Oftentimes, you will need to visit medical specialists to receive the appropriate treatment for your injuries. You may need to see a neurologist or a chiropractor, for example. If you develop different symptoms after you begin your treatment, your physician will have medical records to consult so you can receive the correct diagnosis. Many accident victims suffer different types of injuries, including severe burns, spinal cord injuries, and fractured bones.
Insurance companies will try to do everything within their power to discredit you. Therefore, you need to begin creating a record of your medical diagnoses and your medical treatment as soon as possible after the date of the incident. It is common for accident victims to feel vulnerable and confused after suffering injuries during a car accident, but do not let these emotions stop you from seeking medical treatment. Do not be afraid to go to the hospital and receive the medical treatment that will help you recover from your injuries.
Distracted driving is one of the most common causes of car accidents in Houston, Texas and throughout the United States. If you suffered injuries as the result of a car accident, you need to seek medical treatment and speak with a lawyer so you can begin to establish a record of what likely caused your injuries and what those injuries are. The more documentary evidence you collect after the crash, the stronger your civil case will be.
The Cost of Emergency Room Care
You may believe that seeking emergency room care is too expensive. However, you may end up saving money by going to the emergency room or urgent care center immediately after being involved in an automobile accident. If you prevail in your personal injury case, you can seek financial compensation for your injuries and the medical treatment that you received. But you must be able to substantiate the injuries you suffered and the medical care that helped you recover. Medical bills, medical reports, and medical records are all relevant to your car accident case.
If you do not want to go to the emergency room, you can visit an urgent care center. These healthcare providers are generally less expensive than hospitals and emergency rooms. You can receive medical records and proof of your injuries from both hospitals and urgent care centers. Learning more about the options that are available to you will make it more likely that you will seek out the medical treatment that will ensure your physical health and also benefit your car accident case.
Some physicians treat injured victims on medical liens. This means that the car accident victim does not pay any costs to the physician upfront. The physician or medical entity has a lien on the proceeds of your case. After your car accident claims are resolved, the medical providers are paid out of the settlement proceeds or verdict. These options enable accident victims to receive medical treatment without going into debt paying for their medical bills. Speaking to an experienced Houston car accident attorney can help you learn more about the options for medical treatment that are available to you.
What Are the Potential Consequences of Not Going to the Hospital After a Car Accident?
If you pursue financial compensation for your injuries, then you will have to deal with insurance companies. These entities are interested in preserving as much profit as possible, so they will offer you low settlement amounts at the beginning of your car accident case. An insurance claims adjuster may attempt to have you sign documents or try to get you to admit to liability over the phone. You must speak to an experienced car crash attorney before you sign any documents or make any agreements with an insurance company regarding your injury claims.
If you do not seek medical treatment at a hospital immediately after the car accident, then it is probable that the insurance company will claim that the wreck was not the cause of your injuries. The longer the time period is between the date of the incident and your initial medical treatment, the more likely it is that the insurance company will dispute your injuries. Insurance companies are adept at delaying and denying car accident claims. Also, if you file a civil lawsuit against the responsible driver and their insurance company, you will face their attorneys, who are going to do everything they can to attack your claims and your credibility.
Not seeking medical treatment may also complicate your diagnosis and your treatment plan. For example, you may need to undergo surgery to treat your injuries. But if you delay seeking medical treatment, then a physician may have more difficulty diagnosing your injuries and determining which surgical procedures you need to undergo.
Contact Dax F. Garza, P.C. Today to Schedule a Free Consultation
You may feel too overwhelmed to make a start toward seeking medical treatment for your injuries. Reach out to Dax F. Garza, P.C. to schedule a free consultation. We have years of experience successfully representing clients in car accident cases. We can help you seek financial compensation for your injuries. Our skilled and experienced Houston car accident lawyers offer exceptional legal representation. Do not be afraid to stand up to the insurance companies and enforce your legal rights.
