Michigan Lawyer Blog

Seeking Medical Care After a Car Accident: What You Should Know

 

Personal Injury Results

$15.3 MILLION | AUTO ACCIDENT (WAYNE COUNTY, MI)

$3 MILLION | PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENT (INGHAM COUNTY, MI)

$2.1 MILLION | PREMISES LIABILITY (OAKLAND COUNTY, MI)

$2 MILLION | TRUCK ACCIDENT (OAKLAND COUNTY, MI)

$1.9 MILLION | AUTO ACCIDENT (WAYNE COUNTY, MI)

After a serious car accident, your first priority should be to seek medical attention. However, if your crash was relatively minor, you might feel as if you do not need to worry about going to the doctor after an accident. However, even if you do not think you were badly injured, it is always better to see a medical professional for a comprehensive check. Although the severity of your crash and subsequent injuries may change the way you choose to seek medical care, you should always find a healthcare professional for a full assessment.

In order to ensure you make the right choices after an accident, make sure you know your options when it comes to seeking medical attention.

Understanding the Potential for Harm

Car accidents can cause serious, debilitating injuries, but some of the most serious wounds might slide by unnoticed. When you are in an accident, adrenaline floods your system, giving you that sudden rush of energy that tells you to get up and address the issue at hand. In some cases, the adrenaline coursing through you might block out certain symptoms, making you feel as if you are fine when you actually have a serious injury.

On the other hand, car accidents can also leave people in shock, which could render you completely unresponsive, or dazed and confused. The body sometimes goes into shock when faced with something jarring that the mind cannot process. Much like adrenaline, shock can mask injury symptoms to the detriment of the wounded person.

Emergency Care

If you suffered a serious injury after a car accident and you, or someone nearby, called 911, emergency responders will care for your wounds. When the ambulance arrives, paramedics will address any concerns and may transport you to a hospital for further attention. However, even after you receive emergency care, you might still be interested in following up with a visit to a doctor you know for a second opinion.

Seeing Your Doctor

Anyone involved in a crash should make an appointment with their doctor for a check-up, even if they do not think they were seriously injured. Some injuries, like minor concussions, can be difficult to spot, while others, like whiplash, may take days or weeks to present symptoms. Other injuries, like contusions, pulled muscles, a sore neck, or an aching back, can also be addressed by your doctor when they become apparent, even if they weren’t immediately after your crash.

When you see your doctor, he or she will know precisely what to look for after a car accident and will be able to provide you with their professional assessment, regardless of whether or not you think you are fine. Remember, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Strengthening Your Claim

Not only is it important to seek medical attention for the sake of your health, it could also strengthen your claim. When you make an insurance claim after your accident, you need to specify whether or not you were injured if you wish to seek full compensation for the damage you sustained. Also, if your case goes to court, you need to be able to prove that your injuries were directly related to your accident. If you have the professional assessment of a doctor or paramedic to support your claims, it will be much easier to seek compensation for the damages.

Dealing with insurance companies and complicated claims after an accident can be complicated, especially if you are still trying to heal from your injuries. If you aren’t sure what type of medical attention you should seek after a car crash, or if you need help with a claim, our firm is here to help.

Contact Goodman Acker P.C. today to get started on your Detroit car accident case with our knowledgeable personal injury lawyers.

Archives