Why You Should Seek Medical Attention After an Accident

Some people don’t seek medical attention after they have been involved in a car accident. They may think they aren’t injured or can “shake it off” after impact. They may not have health insurance and worry about what it will cost to be transported by ambulance and seen in the emergency room.   

There is an adrenaline rush in collisions. Your mind and blood race. You may be confused. You may be angry at the driver who caused the crash. You will not be yourself, but you will need to make smart decisions for yourself, nonetheless.   

There are numerous reasons why seeking medical attention after an accident is so important for you. At Mohammadi & Humayun, LLC, we see the results of clients not making that decision often. If you have been injured in a car accident in Rockville, Maryland, or Frederick, Howard, Montgomery, or Prince George’s County, here are a few things you should know. 

What Are Some Common Accident Injuries I May Overlook?

Accident injuries depend on multiple factors, such as the speed at impact, where the impact occurred, and the type of safety devices your car is equipped with. However, there are some common injuries after an accident that aren’t as noticeable as a displaced arm fracture or a shattered bone.   

Traumatic brain injuries may not be readily apparent after a crash. It may take time before you suffer a headache or other symptoms, such as drowsiness. Confusion in the aftermath of the accident may be mistaken for the mental disturbance caused by the event.   

Soft tissue injuries and nondisplaced fractures may not be immediately apparent either. Whiplash injuries, dislocations, damaged spinal discs, muscle and tendon tears, and hairline fractures may take days or weeks to become apparent.   

The only way to find out if you are injured and what injuries you have sustained is to be examined by emergency physicians who know what to look for, where to look for them, and how to uncover them. 

Why Do I Need to Get Medical Help After an Accident?

Don’t debate, “Should I get medical care after an accident?” It is far better to be cautious and examined no matter what. As car accident attorneys, we know there are some very valid reasons why.   

The most important reason to seek medical attention after an accident is for the sake of your own health. Delaying a diagnosis and treatment of an injury can hamper your recovery at best. There is no set schedule for how long after an accident injuries appear. Be examined thoroughly to give yourself the best opportunity to heal.    

If someone else’s negligence caused the crash, you will probably be filing an injury claim. To do that, you will need to gather documentation, including copies of your medical records with a diagnosis of your injuries that tie them to the accident. You cannot file a personal injury claim without injuries and official documentation attesting to causation.   

If you delay seeking treatment, the insurance company will likely allege that your injuries were not serious enough to warrant a settlement or that you injured yourself in some event other than the crash. This is one of the many ways insurance companies try to avoid paying a settlement to their policyholder’s victims. Seeking immediate medical attention takes this weapon against you out of their arsenal. 

What Happens if I Don’t Do What the Doctor Tells Me?

A failure to comply with the healthcare provider’s treatment plan can also harm your recovery and jeopardize your personal injury claim.   

The provider’s treatment plan is designed to fully address your injuries by measures that give you the best opportunity to fully recover from them. Follow-up visits, physical therapy, and other recommended treatment can be challenging. However, if you want to recover to the fullest extent possible, comply with the plan.   

You should also know that noncompliance is another tool the insurance company will use against you. If you say that you have ongoing pain or limitation of movement but have not complied with the treatment plan, the insurance company will blame it on you, refusing to do everything possible to recover. If you add value to your personal injury claim using permanent injury, the insurance company will deny it. 

Personalized & Skilled Legal Counsel

We know this sounds like a lot to do, but as personal injury attorneys, we have witnessed what happens when our clients have delayed seeking medical treatment. Under the best of circumstances, injury victims face an uphill battle when they try to fully recover. They also face numerous challenges posed by insurance companies who don’t want to pay what is fair.   

If you have been injured in a car accident, contact the Rockville, Maryland, office of Mohammadi & Humayun, LLC today. We charge nothing to talk about the circumstances of your potential personal injury claim. We are ready to help, but you need to make the call.