If you are injured in an auto wreck, the first thing you should do is seek medical attention. Whether you need to be taken to the emergency room or visit your primary care physician, it is crucial to take steps to protect your health immediately after the collision.
Only after you have received the proper care should you call an experienced car crash attorney. At The Warren Firm, we urge all injured parties to recognize the importance of seeking medical treatment after a car accident in Charlottesville.
Being involved in an auto wreck can be a jarring experience. Due to surges in adrenaline, injured parties may not experience pain right away. Someone with bone fractures or deep lacerations might not notice the injury at all.
Additionally, many injuries do not present themselves immediately after an accident. It may be weeks or months before an individual starts to show symptoms of severe conditions such as traumatic brain injury or spinal cord damage.
Even if there are no apparent injuries at the scene of the crash, it is important to follow up with a medical provider. A doctor may be able to examine the patient and diagnose a condition he or she was unable to see.
Failing to seek medical help could cause an individual to develop permanent injuries. You should seek out a local attorney for your car accident case only after you receive appropriate treatment.
In a car accident claim, the at-fault driver’s insurance company will likely try to limit the amount of money they have to pay in a settlement. They do this by attempting to minimize the injured party’s condition. Insurance agents often use the refusal of medical treatment as an argument against paying just compensation.
Failure to continue treatment or follow a doctor’s instructions may also be seen as proof that the filing party’s injuries are not serious. For example, a doctor may refer someone to a physical therapist. If the patient refuses therapy or otherwise fails to comply with the treatment plan, the insurance company will use that information to justify a low settlement offer.
During rehabilitation sessions, physical therapists often assign the patient exercises to do at home. If the injured person is not showing improvement in therapy, it will be clear he or she did not follow instructions. This information is typically documented in the patient’s medical records.
It is important to note that the filing party’s medical documents are available to the opposing driver’s insurance company. Any missed appointments or notes from a doctor indicating failure to follow instructions can be used against the injured party in a claim. If there is anything in your medical records that could impact your claim, it is important to inform a car accident lawyer as soon as possible.
If you were involved in an auto wreck, you should take the time to address any injuries you may have sustained. Though it is understandable to be focused on taking legal action, you must consider the importance of seeking medical treatment after a car accident in Charlottesville. Contact The Warren Firm today to learn more about what our team could do for you.
