The Importance of Seeing a Doctor After a Car Accident

The Importance of Seeing a Doctor After a Car Accident

Not all injuries you sustain in a car accident manifest immediately. At first, you may feel okay or only experience minor discomfort. As a result, you could bypass a visit to the doctor, thinking it is unnecessary or a waste of time. However, skipping a visit to your doctor can damage your health and any potential legal claims that may arise from the accident. Seek prompt medical attention after a car crash to ensure healthcare professionals identify, treat, and document all injuries and underlying issues. If you have been injured in a car accident, reach out to an experienced car accident attorney at Rawlins Law Accident & Injury Attorneys, APC for legal support and guidance.

Risks of Undiagnosed Injuries

Early diagnosis and intervention allow for faster recovery and may even prevent further physical and mental health complications. Even if you believe your injuries are minor, seeking medical attention provides peace of mind. Ignoring or delaying medical attention can also create additional consequences for your health. Failure to diagnose and treat these injuries may lead to chronic pain, long-term disabilities, or even life-threatening conditions.

Types of Doctors Who Can Help After a Car Accident

Your primary care physician should be your first point of contact, but they are not the only type of doctor who can evaluate you after a car accident and document the effects of your injuries. Depending on your accident, you may benefit from seeing medical professionals in various fields to treat and document the full extent of your health concerns. These may include:

• Orthopedic surgeon: If you have fractures, dislocations, or other musculoskeletal injuries, an orthopedic surgeon specializes in diagnosing and treating these conditions. They provide surgical interventions, if necessary, and oversee your rehabilitation process.
• Neurologist: A neurologist could evaluate any damage if you experienced head injuries or concussions or developed neurological symptoms after the accident. They specialize in nervous system disorders and can provide expertise in managing brain and spinal cord injuries.
• Physical therapist: A physical therapist focuses on rehabilitation and helping you regain strength, mobility, and functionality after a car accident. They design personalized exercise programs and provide hands-on treatments to aid in your recovery.
• Chiropractor: Chiropractors diagnose and treat musculoskeletal issues, particularly those related to the spine. They use manual techniques, adjustments, and therapies to ease pain and improve spinal function.
• Psychologist or psychiatrist: Car accidents often have psychological and emotional effects. Mental health professionals, such as psychologists and psychiatrists, provide therapy and support for conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, and other emotional distress resulting from the accident.

You may need to see specific professionals, depending on your injuries and their severity. Your primary care physician will determine a course of action and make any necessary referrals to specialists.

Seeing a Doctor Establishes a Medical Record

You must prove that you suffered injuries and demonstrate the extent of those injuries when pursuing a personal injury claim because of a car accident. A medical record contains critical evidence, as it provides an unbiased assessment from a trained professional. Medical records may contain:

• Diagnoses.
• Treatment plans.
• Opinions from healthcare professionals.

Expert opinions carry weight in legal proceedings and support your claim by validating the nature and extent of your injuries. They provide an objective assessment from a qualified medical practitioner who can testify to your condition and its influence on your life.

Document Your Injuries as Soon as Possible

In a personal injury claim, the sooner you establish a medical record, the stronger your case becomes. Your attorney can use these records to show that your injuries resulted from the accident, not an unrelated event or pre-existing condition. Undiagnosed hidden injuries from your accident can weaken your case if you have not consulted a health professional. Your attorney must prove that the injuries resulted from the car accident. The longer you wait to document the injuries, the harder it becomes to build a strong case. By visiting a doctor immediately, you create a medical paper trail that links your injuries to the crash.

Types of Medical Records to Support Your Claim

Medical documentation can bolster your personal injury claim. These documents include:

• Emergency room records.
• Doctor's notes.
• Medical bills.
• Diagnostic test results (such as X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs).
• Prescriptions.

Any records of post-accident initial and ongoing treatments and doctors' recommendations about recovery therapy contribute to the strength of your case. The more medical evidence you can present, the more likely you will recover reasonable damages.

How Medical Records Help Your Personal Injury Case

Healthcare professionals generate medical records as objective and credible evidence while adhering to medical standards and their duty of care. Medical records are highly persuasive in court, providing unbiased documentation of your injuries and treatment. Because medical records are so persuasive in legal cases, they can protect your rights and defend against legal arguments the other person may make against your personal injury claims.

Records Begin Your Post-accident Timeline

A consistent timeline can establish causation, the link between the car accident and your injuries. By using medical records to show that your injuries occurred as a direct result of the accident and are not pre-existing or unrelated, your attorney can build a compelling case for compensation.

Records Mitigate the Gap-in-Treatment Defense Argument

In personal injury cases, the defense may point out a gap in treatment. The gap may occur in two cases:

• You did not seek help right after the accident.
• You saw a doctor once and did not see them again for several weeks or months.

This defense argument suggests that you exaggerated your injuries or result from an unrelated event during the gap. Avoid the gap argument by seeking medical attention right after the crash and complying with doctors' orders.

Records Guard Against the Unrelated Injury Defense Argument

The at-fault party's insurance company or attorney can argue that the injuries you seek compensation for are unrelated to the accident. Delaying medical attention after a car accident allows the defense to question the connection between the accident and your injuries. This may weaken your case and potentially reduce the compensation you receive.

Records Show the Ongoing Repercussions of Your Injuries

If you document your ongoing treatment and recovery process, your attorney can outline the lasting effects of your injuries. This information can be critical when seeking compensation for future medical expenses, lost earnings, and pain and suffering. By showing that your injuries have continued altering your life, your attorney can argue for fair compensation to cover the full extent of your damages. For example, if you fractured a limb in a car accident, you may need ongoing treatment for up to a year. This can keep you from working, caring for your family, or enjoying your hobbies. Your attorney can demand compensation for past, current, and future expenses and non-economic damages related to the loss of life enjoyment if you document all related medical treatment from the moment of the crash.

Types of Compensation Available After a Car Accident

When you file a personal injury lawsuit, having successful medical records can entitle you to different forms of compensation. Your compensation can vary depending on your case and the applicable laws in your jurisdiction, but may include.

• Medical expenses: This is one of the most apparent benefits of seeing a doctor and establishing your medical records. Expenses include reimbursement for all past and future medical costs related to your injury, such as hospital bills, doctor visits, surgeries, medications, rehabilitation, physical therapy, and any necessary medical equipment.
• Lost income: If the evidence and opinions of medical professionals back up your claim that the accident has caused you to miss work, you may be entitled to compensation for your lost income. This can include both past and future lost income, such as bonuses, promotions, and other employment benefits you would have received.
• Pain and suffering: A personal injury claim may result in an award of compensation for the pain, suffering, and emotional distress that the accident and your injuries caused. This is a more subjective type of compensation and considers the physical and emotional consequences of the accident on your life. Your doctor may refer you to a psychologist and other mental health professionals to document your car accident's long-term emotional and mental effects.

There are other forms of compensation that you may receive in a personal injury claim, apart from your medical records and doctor visits:

• Property damage: If the accident damaged your personal property, such as your vehicle, you may recover compensation for the cost of repairs or the fair market value of the property if it is deemed a total loss.
• Loss of consortium: In some cases, the spouse or family members of the injured person may be eligible for compensation due to the loss of companionship, affection, or support resulting from the injury.
• Punitive damages: Courts may award punitive damages for the defendant's egregious or intentional actions. These damages punish the defendant and deter similar behavior.

Every situation is unique, and each state and jurisdiction treats personal injury claims differently. Your attorney will assess your case, determine the potential types of compensation available to you, and provide guidance on your jurisdiction's specific laws and regulations, especially regarding your medical treatment.

Tips for Seeking Medical Attention After a Car Accident

Documenting your injuries with a medical professional is a two-way process. You must actively participate in discussions with your doctor to get the most out of your doctor's visits and ensure the recording of proper evidence.

Ensure Proper Documentation of Your Injuries and Treatment

When receiving medical attention, be as detailed as possible about the accident, your injuries, and the symptoms you are experiencing. Make sure your medical provider documents this information accurately in your medical records. Keep track of all medical bills, receipts, and prescribed medications to support your claim further. With the prioritization of documentation, your attorney can build a compelling case to secure the best possible outcome for your personal injury claim.

Communicate With Your Doctor About All Symptoms

Maintain open communication with your doctor about your accident and symptoms, even if you assume something you're experiencing might not relate to your accident. Don't gloss over any pain or discomfort you feel or try to self-treat or self-diagnose. For instance, even something you think is small today—such as a headache, an ache in your wrist, or difficulty sleeping—could be part of a long-term health concern connected to your accident. Be honest and detailed about your pain levels, limitations, and any new symptoms. This ensures that your medical records accurately reflect the extent of your injuries and their consequences on your life.

Get Medical Assistance and Legal Assistance as Soon as Possible

You cannot overstate the legal significance of medical attention after a car accident. Medical records provide crucial evidence for your personal injury claim and ensure you receive the compensation you need to cover the short-term and long-term damages. Your doctor and lawyer will work in tandem to ensure that you appropriately record and submit all evidence of injuries related to your car accident in your personal injury case. Every jurisdiction has requirements governing the specific medical documentation necessary to back a personal injury claim, so hire a skilled personal injury attorney who can handle your claims. Then you can focus on your rest and recovery.

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