Throughout 2020, there were over 340,000 auto accidents in Florida. 212,535 of these accidents were injury accidents, and 3,347 were fatalities. Sadly, this trend doesn’t appear to be going anywhere soon.
If you’ve ever had the unfortunate luck of being in a car crash, then you know just how confusing and frightening the entire experience can be. While you’re still physically on the scene, your injuries may not seem serious enough to warrant going to the hospital and thus, you might choose to go home instead. This, however, is a major mistake.
You should always go to the hospital or have the paramedic on the scene examine you – even when you’ve only had a very slight fender bender. Read on to discover 5 reasons to see a doctor after all auto accidents.
- Some Injuries Won’t Be Immediately Apparent
There are a number of fairly serious injuries caused by car accidents that aren’t always apparent right away. One example of this is a head injury.
There are a lot of people who feel perfectly fine after having sustained head injuries. However, after adrenaline is no longer coursing through their systems, they may exhibit the symptoms of a concussion.
Choosing to go to the doctor – even when you don’t feel injured – will help you learn whether or not any trauma or injury exists that must be treated.
- You Don’t Know the Full Extent of Your Injuries
No matter how minor your injuries might appear to be on the surface, it’s still important to be seen by a doctor. Only a doctor can determine whether or not the injuries you’ve sustained require treatment.
You should always be seen by a medical professional if you’re in pain, bleeding, or have any small, seemingly insignificant issues. These can all be signs of far more serious, underlying problems that require urgent medical attention and treatment.
It’s important to note that nearly all auto insurance companies require claimants to be seen by doctors within 72 hours of their injury events. By doing so, you can rest assured that you’ll be able to get the full compensation you deserve. Basically, being seen by a doctor after a car accident can protect your health, your well-being, and your finances.
- Delaying Medical Treatment Could Result in Less Compensation
If you wait too long to be seen by a doctor, you may be accused of faking or overstating your injuries by your insurance company. After all, it is uncommon for people to conceal serious injuries, especially when these injuries have been caused by auto accidents.
Due to this fact, some insurance companies might attempt to lower settlement amounts, or they may even dispute claims altogether. Not seeking timely medical treatment can make your claim seem like an invalid one, and this definitely isn’t something that you want.
- Found Out How Your Accident Will Affect Your Health in the Future
Sadly, some car accident injuries can have a lasting impact on your ability to work and your overall life-quality. Failing to seek a professional medical evaluation right away may mean sacrificing your right to damages that are necessary for covering your long-term medical costs and other long-term effects of your injuries.
There are a number of possible long-term injuries that people can sustain in auto accidents.
One of these is whiplash, which happens to be very common. Whiplash is sustained when the head is quickly jerked or rocked in a back-and-forth motion. There are times when the signs and symptoms of whiplash don’t manifest for several days.
Head and neck injuries are other problems that might develop. Although some head and neck injuries are immediately obvious, others aren’t. You may have a concussion or a traumatic brain injury (TBI) that doesn’t show up for some time. With prompt medical attention, you can learn the exact nature of your injuries, and you can find out how these will affect your life over the long-term. This is all information that your car accident attorney can use to make sure that you’re properly compensated.
- You’ll Get Protection From Official Medical Records
Having your injuries properly documented by a licensed medical professional will both help your attorney build a solid case and ensure that you get fairly compensated. If you visit the emergency room after any car accident, be sure to ask for a complete copy of your medical records for this visit. These can be given to your attorney who will use them to help settle your claim.
Get Help With Your Auto Accident Case by Hiring Our Team
Any Florida car accident can make you feel stunned or overwhelmed. Although this is common, it isn’t a good reason for delaying medical treatment. As this information shows, being seen by a doctor is vital for ensuring that you’re in good health, able to recover, and able to obtain the compensation that you’re due. If you want to speak with a professional legal team or have questions about your claim, contact Florida personal injury lawyer today.