Should You Go to the Hospital for a Car Accident?

Many people who get into a crash ask themselves, “Should you go to the hospital after a car accident?” In many cases, going to the doctor after a drunk, reckless, or inattentive driver hits you may be beneficial. Taking this step gives a medical professional the opportunity to identify and treat your injuries. Additionally, it is a way for you to create a documentary link between the incident and your losses.

West Law Firm Personal Injury Lawyers are here to fight for you and your loved ones after a thoughtless driver uproots your life by causing a terrible crash. Our South Carolina advocates are fierce defenders of the injured. We are not afraid to stand up against the big insurance companies, trucking businesses, or others who may stand in the way of you receiving a fair settlement.

Common Injuries Caused by Car Accidents

Those who are in an auto collision may experience a number of injuries, including the following:

  • A broken wrist or arm
  • A cracked rib
  • A concussion
  • Whiplash
  • Soft tissue damage
  • A burn or road rash

One of the signs you should go to the hospital after a car accident is if you see blood, bruising, or broken skin. Likewise, if you have any pains you think may not have been there before, it is time to take a trip to the urgent care or your primary doctor.

Being seen gives you access to medical care you might need and not know it. Plus, it helps you create a connection between the accident and your injuries. You can point to this link later on if the insurance company tries to undermine the credibility of your personal injury claim.

Why Immediate Medical Attention Is Crucial After a Collision

Getting medical help right after the incident protects your physical health as well as your legal claim. Some signs of an injury after a car wreck may show up immediately after impact; however, others may not appear until hours or days afterward. For example, the person may not know they have a concussion right away. Instead, they may develop symptoms — like amnesia around the event or trouble concentrating — days after they are hit.

Because of this, it is really important for crash victims to see a doctor immediately after the incident. Health professionals can examine them and determine what injuries they have or may have and how to treat those.

Additionally, having this initial doctor’s visit creates a documentary record from close in time to when the incident occurred. You can use this later on to show what happened and the losses you suffered as a result. The more strong evidence you have to support your side of things, the better equipped you and your attorney are to craft compelling legal arguments.

Consequences of Delaying Medical Care After a Collision

If you decide not to see a provider after the crash, it can create uphill battles for you medically and legally. Delays between the injury-causing event and when you receive care open the door for complications — such as infections — and can make it harder for the doctors to treat your condition. For example, a sprained wrist that was left alone rather than treated and set may not heal properly. The medical team may have to do extra procedures to fix the sprain.

Additionally, not having the initial doctor’s visit can also make it more challenging for you to prove a connection between the crash and your injuries. Part of proving your case against the other person or agency involves gathering and presenting evidence.

Critical pieces of evidence in a car accident case are photographs of the scene, police reports, and medical records. Together, these tell the story of what happened and support your request for a settlement. Without these, the opposing party may try to fill in the gaps with incorrect or misleading information. You or your car accident lawyer may find it difficult to refute this version of events if you do not have documents that relate the crash and your injuries together.

How Medical Records Influence Your Legal Case

Going to the hospital after a car accident does not just serve your physical needs — it also helps to shape a case against those responsible for your injuries. When you file a lawsuit or an insurance claim against a reckless driver, you accuse them of negligence. In this context, negligence involves:

  1. A duty of care to act responsibly and follow traffic laws
  2. The at-fault driver’s failure to follow the traffic laws
  3. A causal relationship between what occurred and your injuries
  4. Proof that you experienced losses

Having medical records helps you prove that you sustained harm and that the other person’s actions are the reason. For instance, a claimant may use their medical records to show that they broke their arm in a crash and had to undergo several surgeries to correct it. Additionally, these documents may include notes from the doctor explaining how the accident caused the fracture.

Having these records can help strengthen your account of what occurred.

West Law: Dedicated Car Accident Lawyers Serving South Carolina

When you are hurt because a motorist or company made costly errors, you may qualify to seek compensation to recoup your losses. If you go to the hospital after a car accident, this can help you create a strong legal claim against those responsible. A knowledgeable lawyer can help you gather and present evidence to help persuade an insurance carrier to award you a comprehensive settlement package.

The loyal advocates at West Law Firm Personal Injury Lawyers are ready to stand by you during this time. Since 1945, we have fought for those in the Lowcountry who are hurt because of the wrongful actions of others. We welcome the opportunity to do the same for you. Call 843-483-8630 today to set up an initial consultation to discuss your concerns.

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