Without hesitation, you should always accept medical treatment after a car accident. Whether at the accident scene or later, medical attention could help you get better faster. Even if you see no injuries or believe your accident is minor, you should still get medical attention.
Immediately after your car accident, you, the other driver, or a witness may call 911. Doing this will send emergency medical personnel to the accident scene, where they will evaluate and treat you for minor injuries.
Emergency personnel will also determine whether you have more severe injuries that may require additional or long-term medical care. They will take you to the hospital for further treatment if they do.
It is best to allow medical personnel to help you. You may not know the extent of your injuries, and your adrenaline may be running high, masking the pain you would otherwise feel. The first responders are trained to quickly and effectively evaluate your needs to give you the best medical treatment possible.
Going to the Hospital After Your Accident
If the first responders do not see a reason to go to the hospital right after your crash, that does not mean you will never need to go. Several hours or days later, you may feel pain in areas where you did not have any before. This pain could be directly related to the car accident.
When you feel pain suddenly, it is essential to get medical help. Go to the emergency room so they can help determine if you have injuries that need to be addressed. Depending on the severity of your injuries, the doctor may decide you need to stay for further evaluation. It is essential to follow the doctor’s order so you can get better.
Even if you do not feel pain and want to be cautious and get a second evaluation, go to the hospital. Car accidents can be severe, and you may want to go to the emergency room simply out of concern for your health and wellbeing. That is entirely understandable, and no one can blame you for wanting to be cautious.
The emergency room visit will be costly, but that should not deter you. Especially if you may have suffered a concussion, symptoms can be hard to diagnose, and you may need additional tests. These tests at the hospital could help you prevent further injuries and a lifetime of medical needs.
Seeking Medical Attention Later
Even if you do not experience pain, you should still see your primary doctor at the next available appointment time. No one knows you better than your primary physician. They can quickly determine if you have any injuries that may affect the way you can live your life.
This is important because your doctor’s records showing your physical abilities before and after the accident may prove invaluable in a personal injury claim. Using your doctor’s evaluation, you can also work together on a path for your recovery.
Getting Compensation
After a car accident, your sole goal should be to get better even when you do not develop pain for days or weeks. Getting proper medical attention, however, can be costly. Some people even avoid medical treatment because they fear the full cost.
When you get into a car accident, the cost of medical treatment should not deter you from getting the care you need. While your focus is on your health and wellbeing, you may need to file a personal injury claim for damages. If successful, you could get compensation for the following:
- Pain and suffering.
- Emotional distress.
- Lost income.
- Lost earning potential.
- Loss of life enjoyment.
- Present and future medical expenses.
- Rehabilitation costs.
Depending on the severity of your injuries, you may experience long-term or even lifelong medical care. Spending time out of work, whether temporary or permanent, hinders your ability to support yourself and pay your bills, let alone all your medical expenses.
Do not discount minor injuries, either. Even minor injuries can result in costly and ongoing medical expenses. This is why you may benefit from the support and guidance of a car accident lawyer who can help you determine how much money you might need to recover.
Proving Someone Else Caused Your Car Accident
To collect compensation, you must prove the other driver caused your accident. While this may seem simple to you, there are several elements you need to prove to show that someone else should be liable to you for the accident.
You need to prove the other driver:
- Owed you a duty of care to drive safely.
- Breached that duty of care by going in an unsafe, reckless, careless, or negligent manner.
- Because the other driver breached the duty, an accident happened.
- You suffered injuries or damages in the accident.
Proving these elements will require evidence to support your allegations. You may need video surveillance, witness statements, police reports, and photographs taken at the accident scene. If the other driver refuses to admit fault, you may also have to take them to court.
You Cannot Delay Too Long
A lawsuit may be the last thing on your mind. All you want is to get better. Unfortunately, if you do not take action against the negligent driver, you could end up on the hook for all your medical expenses and other financial losses.
You cannot wait too long to decide whether to take action against the negligent driver. Every state has a statute of limitations, limiting the time you have after an accident to file a claim. While many people prefer to wait, consider all of the hurdles you will face:
- Extended hospital stays.
- Multiple doctor visits.
- Extended time out of work.
- In-home care.
- In-facility rehabilitation.
On top of all of the above, you may also miss out on important life events because your injuries prevent you from attending. When you hold the other driver responsible for your car accident, you may be able to collect compensation to cover your losses. If you wait too long, however, you could miss out on your chance to collect compensation.
Philadelphia Car Accident Lawyers at McCann Dillon Jaffe & Lamb, LLC Can Provide Legal Assistance if You Have a Car Accident Injury
After any car accident, you must seek medical attention. After that, speak with a lawyer about your legal options. One of our Philadelphia car accident lawyers at McCann Dillon Jaffe & Lamb, LLC can help. Call us at 215-569-8488 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation and to learn more about how we may be able to help you. Located in Philadelphia, Abington, and Media, Pennsylvania, and Wilmington, Delaware, we serve clients throughout the surrounding areas.