Should You Seek Medical Care Following an Accident Even If You Feel Fine?
Motor vehicle collisions are inherently traumatic, and everyone handles the stress differently. If you are a fairly pragmatic person, for example, you might take control while still at the scene and start photographing the vehicles or interviewing witnesses.
Woman Phoning For Help After Car Windshield Has Broken
If you tend to be fairly emotional, on the other hand, you might find the wreckage—and all the steps you now have to take to recover compensation—overwhelming. From gathering medical records and tracking the costs associated with recovering to interviewing law firms and filing an insurance claim, there is a lot to do following a crash.
Fortunately, you can delegate most of these tasks to a seasoned car accident lawyer. There is one undertaking that you must complete on your own as soon as possible, though, and that is seeking adequate medical care.
If you were hurt in a collision that was not your fault and you’re ready to begin the claims process, turn to Laborde Earles Law Firm. Our award-winning lawyers are relentless when it comes to negotiating for sizable settlements on behalf of clients. Call 800-522-6733 to schedule a free case evaluation with a car accident attorney in Alexandria.
Should You Seek Medical Care Following an Accident Even If You Feel Fine?
When first responders report to an accident scene, they will triage all of the victims and tend to those with the most severe injuries first. Thus, you may not necessarily receive medical care at the scene if you did not sustain life-threatening injuries; however, you should still visit an urgent care center as soon as possible.
There are three main reasons to seek medical attention following a collision, regardless of how you feel. Read on to learn what they are:
- Adrenaline Could Be Masking the Symptoms of Injuries
It is natural to experience a flood of adrenaline following a stressful event like a car accident because of the body’s “fight or flight” response to trauma. Since this rush of adrenaline can mask the symptoms of any serious injuries for several hours after the incident, it is essential to visit a doctor following a crash. If you sustained serious injuries like internal bleeding but wait until you experience symptoms to seek care, life-threatening complications could arise.
- Certain Injuries Could Have Latent Symptoms
Even if the adrenaline has worn off, certain car accident injuries may not necessarily exhibit symptoms immediately. For example, it can take whiplash 24 hours or more to manifest debilitating symptoms. With early diagnosis and treatment, though, you can minimize the impact that whiplash will have on various aspects of your life.
- Failure to Seek Timely Care Could Jeopardize the Claim
If you wait too long to seek medical care following a crash, you may be unable to recover compensation for the costs associated with treating the injuries. The liable party might argue that your injuries were the result of an incident that occurred after the collision or that you contributed to their severity by failing to seek care in a timely fashion.
If you were involved in a motor vehicle collision that resulted in serious injuries, turn to Laborde Earles Law Firm to determine if you have grounds for a claim. Call 800-522-6733 to schedule a free consultation with a car accident lawyer in Alexandria.