If you were recently involved in a car accident but you were able to walk away from the scene, visiting a doctor probably wasn’t a priority. From securing alternative transportation to coordinating with an auto body shop, there’s always a lot to do after a wreck, which can make it hard to focus on your health.
If there’s even a chance you were hurt, however, it’s imperative that you seek prompt medical care. Here are some of the biggest reasons why:
1. Without Treatment, Complications Are More Likely
Just because you feel fine doesn’t mean you are fine. From whiplash to internal bleeding to brain damage, there are a number of impact injuries that might not manifest symptoms for days or even weeks. If left unchecked, however, such injuries can contribute to life-threatening complications.
By visiting a doctor right away, you’ll receive prompt treatment for all your injuries, including those that you might have unknowingly ignored for quite some time. This will ensure a more promising prognosis and hopefully allow you to make a full recovery.
Later, during the personal injury proceedings, it will also show that you were committed to mitigating damages from day one. If you were to postpone seeking care and your condition worsened as a result, the liable party could shift some fault your way, reducing their own financial responsibility in the process.
2. You’ll Need to Prove Causation to Secure a Payout
To be eligible for compensation, you must prove that your injuries were the direct result of the liable party’s negligence. If you wait to visit a doctor, it will be much easier for the opposing party to argue that your condition wasn’t actually caused by the accident in question but by something that happened afterward. If, on the other, you get treatment the next day, the associated documentation will provide a paper trail linking the incident to your injuries.
3. Medical Records Will Serve as the Foundation for Your Damages Claim
Damages might start accumulating immediately following the accident, but they won’t be tracked until you seek medical care. Every successful car accident claim is supported by documentation of damages, which starts with medical records. Examples include nursing logs, hospital bills, diagnostic images, prescriptions, and psychological evaluations.
You can bolster your damages claim by starting a journal. Daily entries about your condition and how it’s hurting your overall quality of life will help contextualize your medical records while illustrating the extent of your non-monetary losses.
Call 713-893-8808 to Discuss Your Case with a Houston Car Accident Attorney
If you were hurt in a motor-vehicle collision through no fault of your own, turn to Chelsie King Garza, P.C. for strategic legal counsel. With more than 18 years of experience in the legal field, attorney Garza knows what it takes to secure satisfactory settlements and favorable verdicts on behalf of injured parties. Call 713-893-8808 or fill out her Contact Form to schedule a free initial consultation with a car accident lawyer in Houston.
