Do You Need to Get Medical Attention Following an Accident?
Immediately following an accident in which you sustained injuries, you’re probably going to be shaken up; you may even be incapacitated. Any personal injury lawyer will tell you that seeking medical attention immediately following an accident is of paramount importance. If this is not done in a timely manner, one may preclude themselves from seeking damages for their injuries later on. Some people prefer staying away from the doctor as much as possible, but following an accident, avoiding medical professionals is the last thing you should do. For answers to the questions individuals often have about seeking medical attention following an accident, read through this FAQ.
Call 1-800-HURT-511 to speak with leading personal injury lawyers in South Ozone Park. They’ll help you if you’ve been injured through no fault of your own. They have the skills, experience, and resources necessary to pursue damages on your behalf.
When Should Medical Attention Be Sought Following an Accident?
Medical attention should be sought in the immediate aftermath of an accident. Especially if you’ve sustained significant injuries following an accident, you need to get medical attention right away so your injuries don’t get any worse.
You can get a preliminary exam from responding EMTs when they arrive at the accident scene, but it’s best to be looked over at a hospital, where medical professionals have all the tools needed to thoroughly examine you. Say, for example, you’re involved in a car accident; getting treatment at a hospital will be much more effective than getting treatment on the side of the road.
Should You Take a Ride in an Ambulance if You Don’t Have To?
If first responders are called following the accident, and they should be, an ambulance is likely to show up with EMTs. When the EMTs ask if you’d like to go to the emergency room, you should agree. Some individuals think they need to decline this offer because the ride isn’t free. However, when an ambulance is called to provide life-saving treatment, there typically isn’t a cost associated with this transport. And even if you have to pay to take a ride in the ambulance, if you receive an award from a personal injury claim later on, the damages can be used to cover the cost of the ambulance trip as well as other medical bills.
Why Is Seeking Medical Attention Following an Accident So Important?
Seeking medical attention immediately after an accident is important for a variety of reasons. First, doing so is likely to prevent your injuries from getting worse. Second, you’ll need to be thoroughly examined so you know the full extent of your injuries. Often is the case that accident injuries don’t manifest until later on. If you don’t have a record which ties these injuries to the accident, it’ll be harder to claim compensation for injuries later on. A lot of evidence depreciates, but medical records that document injuries won’t lose any value over time.
What Will Happen During a Post-Accident Medical Evaluation?
A doctor will run a series of tests following an accident to see just how badly you’re injured. Again, you shouldn’t avoid getting a full battery of tests because of cost concerns. The cost of these exams can be covered by damages. One of the most important things the medical professional will do is check for brain damage. Concussions are a common accident injury, but the symptoms of a concussion are also symptoms of whiplash and even mild traumatic brain injuries. Once you’ve been thoroughly examined, the medical professional will have a good idea of how to start treating you, and they’ll want you to begin getting treatments right away.
What Accident Injuries Are Common?
Certain accidents are associated with certain injuries. For example, one isn’t likely to sustain severe injuries from a slip and fall accident, but severe injuries are common in high-speed auto accidents. But this isn’t always the case. One could slip and fall on concrete and end up with a traumatic brain injury or even die. Here are injuries that are associated with a range of accidents:
- Facial disfigurement
- Soft tissue injuries
- PTSD
- Cuts & lacerations
- Dismemberment
- Whiplash
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Crush injuries
- Shoulder injuries
- Knee injuries
- Broken ribs
- Burns
- Animal bites
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Hand & wrist injuries
- Foot & ankle injuries
- Broken pelvis
Will I Have to Pay Medical Bills Right Away?
The answer here depends on where you get medical care. If you can pay for the expenses up front, you should; your health insurance provider should cover some of the cost. Then, once you receive an award, you can reimburse yourself and your health insurance provider. If you can’t pay up front, you can sign an agreement, wherein you agree to pay what you owe after an award is secured.
Will Damages Awarded Cover Medical Bills?
Following an accident, you’re likely to be saddled with a range of expenses. Seeking damages is what you’ll need to do to make sure you’re fairly compensated for these expenses. The kinds of damages you can claim following an accident are listed below:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of life enjoyment
- Dismemberment
- Wrongful death
- Disfigurement
- PTSD
- Economic Damages
- Medical bills
- Long-term care bills
- Lost earnings both past and future
Will a Personal Injury Lawyer Encourage Their Client to Seek Medical Attention?
A personal injury lawyer will definitely push you to get medical attention. Your medical records will be a fundamental part of what gets you damages later on. If there’s no formal documentation of your injuries, it’ll be next to impossible to prove a connection to the accident. Also, your lawyer will want you to get better as soon as possible, as the faster you recover, the more likely it is a settlement can be reached out of court.
Simply put, searching for a personal injury lawyer can be frustrating. But not if you use 1-800-HURT-511. We’re a one-stop solution for those who are looking to bring a personal injury case. We’ll connect you to best-in-class, experienced personal injury lawyers, and they’ll understand your case and speak your language. They’ve secured over a billion dollars for their clients, and you only have to pay them if they win you money.
Call 1-800-HURT-511 now. The clock is ticking!
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