The Importance of Seeking Medical Attention After an Accident
After an accident, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed and unsure of what to do next. Many people make the mistake of skipping or delaying medical attention, especially if they don’t immediately feel pain or discomfort. However, seeking prompt medical care is crucial, not only for your health but also for protecting your legal rights with a personal injury lawyer.
At the Law Offices of Malcolm B. Seawell, PC, I’ve seen firsthand how timely medical attention makes a difference. Read my insights below.
Immediate Health Benefits of Prompt Medical Attention
One of the most obvious reasons to seek medical attention right after an accident is to address any physical injuries. Accidents can cause a range of injuries, some of which may not be immediately apparent. Adrenaline and shock often mask pain, which can delay the realization that you’ve been injured.
Identification of hidden injuries: Injuries like whiplash, traumatic brain injuries (TBI), internal bleeding, and fractures may not show symptoms until hours or even days after an accident. A medical professional can perform the necessary evaluations and diagnostic tests to identify these hidden injuries early, which can prevent complications.
Faster recovery time: Early treatment often results in quicker recovery times. Treating injuries immediately after they occur can prevent them from worsening and help you get back to your daily activities sooner.
Minimizing long-term health issues: Some injuries, like back and neck injuries, can develop into chronic conditions if not treated promptly. Seeking medical care right away can help reduce the risk of long-term complications, such as chronic pain, mobility issues, and diminished quality of life.
Psychological and Emotional Considerations
Accidents aren’t just physically traumatic; they can also have significant psychological and emotional impacts. In fact, symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression are common after accidents, especially when there’s a prolonged recovery period.
Mental health screening: Seeking medical attention includes a mental health evaluation that can identify signs of psychological trauma. Early intervention can help you manage symptoms more effectively, improving overall recovery.
Access to counseling and therapy: Medical professionals can refer you to counseling or therapy, which can be beneficial for accident-related emotional trauma. Treatment options may include therapy, counseling, or support groups, all of which can aid in psychological recovery.
Reducing social and family stress: Emotional trauma can impact relationships and strain family dynamics. Seeking professional help can also aid in understanding how your accident has affected you emotionally, helping you build a supportive environment at home.
Building Strong Evidence for Your Personal Injury Claim
If you decide to pursue a claim with a personal injury lawyer after an accident, seeking medical attention promptly is one of the most critical steps to your case's success. Medical records serve as evidence that documents the severity and extent of your injuries. Here’s how medical attention can impact your claim:
Establishing a link between the accident and injuries: Medical records create a direct link between the accident and the injuries. This is crucial in personal injury cases, as insurance companies and defense attorneys may attempt to claim that your injuries were pre-existing or unrelated to the accident.
Documenting injury progression: Medical visits provide a timeline of your injuries and treatment, which can be crucial in establishing the injury’s impact over time. This record of treatment is essential in showing how the injury has affected your daily life and can strengthen your case for compensation.
Countering insurance company tactics: Insurance companies often use delay in seeking medical attention as a reason to deny or devalue claims, arguing that if an injury were serious, medical care would have been sought immediately. Prompt medical attention takes away this argument, supporting the legitimacy of your claim.
Preventing Complications from Delayed Medical Treatment
Many people assume that if they feel fine immediately after an accident, they don’t need medical attention. However, delayed symptoms are common. For example, neck pain from whiplash or headaches from a mild TBI may take days to become noticeable. Waiting to seek treatment can complicate your health in several ways:
Risk of secondary injuries: An untreated injury, such as a fracture or soft tissue injury, can worsen over time and potentially cause secondary injuries. For instance, a minor back injury left untreated can lead to chronic pain or spinal issues.
Exacerbation of pre-existing conditions: If you have pre-existing conditions, an accident can worsen them. A medical evaluation helps distinguish between new injuries and aggravated conditions, which can be vital information for both your health and your legal case.
Delays in diagnosis and treatment: Injuries left untreated can lead to more severe conditions that require extensive medical treatment. This delay can also weaken your legal case, as it may become harder to prove that the accident caused the injury.
Financial Implications of Seeking (or Not Seeking) Medical Attention
One of the main reasons people delay medical care is the concern about medical expenses. However, this can cost more in the long run, both financially and legally. Seeking prompt medical care after an accident can have several financial benefits:
Preserving your right to compensation: Personal injury claims typically allow for compensation covering medical expenses, lost wages, and even pain and suffering. By seeking medical care promptly, you create a clear record of your injury’s impact, which can help a personal injury lawyer secure a settlement that covers these costs.
Preventing future medical expenses: Prompt treatment can reduce the risk of ongoing or worsening injuries, which could lead to significant medical expenses down the road. The longer you wait, the more likely it is that your injuries may require expensive, long-term care.
Maximizing insurance coverage: Many insurance policies require that you seek medical treatment within a certain period after an accident. By delaying medical attention, you risk losing coverage and benefits that would otherwise help with your treatment costs.
Medical Evidence in Colorado’s Comparative Fault System
Colorado follows a modified comparative fault system, meaning that if you’re found partially responsible for an accident, your compensation may be reduced accordingly. Delayed medical attention can sometimes be used to argue that you contributed to the worsening of your injuries by not seeking care, which could affect the compensation amount you’re entitled to.
Supporting your side of the story: Immediate medical records provide clear evidence that you took the accident and your injuries seriously, which can help reinforce your position in a comparative fault situation.
Defending against counterclaims: Insurance companies and opposing parties may argue that your injuries were not severe or related to the accident if there’s a gap in treatment. Prompt medical attention offers evidence that directly counters these claims.
Protecting your compensation: If you’re found partially at fault, Colorado law reduces your compensation based on your percentage of fault. Seeking medical attention right away helps establish that you took responsible steps, reducing the likelihood that you’ll be assigned additional fault for your injuries.
Choosing the Right Medical Professionals
After an accident, the type of medical screening you get is also important. While an emergency room visit or a primary care physician may be your first stop, certain injuries may require specialist care. Working with the right professionals not only improves your recovery but also strengthens your personal injury claim.
Emergency room physicians and primary care providers: These professionals can provide initial assessments and documentation of your injuries. They often refer you to specialists if needed, creating a paper trail that can be essential for your case.
Orthopedic specialists: For broken bones, sprains, or other musculoskeletal injuries, an orthopedic specialist can provide more detailed treatment plans and prognosis reports.
Neurologists: Head injuries can have serious implications, and documentation from a neurologist can substantiate the long-term effects of the accident on your health.
Physical therapists: Physical therapy records provide insight into the progression of your injury and recovery, and these records are valuable evidence in establishing the injury’s impact on your daily life.
Seek Out a Personal Injury Lawyer Today
As you can see, getting immediate medical attention after an accident is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your health and legal rights. If you’re facing legal challenges, don’t hesitate to reach out for assistance. Contact my firm, The Law Offices of Malcolm B. Seawell, PC for a free consultation.