If you have been injured in an accident that was not your fault, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other compensable damages and losses. However, your compensation may depend entirely on getting medical attention. When you are injured in an accident, seeking medical attention should be your top priority. There are many reasons why visiting a hospital or seeing a doctor as soon as possible after an accident is so important.
As a personal injury attorney in Missouri City, Texas, I help injured victims handle all aspects of the claims process to pursue fair compensation on their behalf while they can focus on recovering and getting better. At K.E. Bradley Attorney & Counselor at Law, I also serve accident victims in Fresno, Katy, Sugar Land, Friendswood, and Pearland.
Common Injuries After an Accident
According to the National Safety Council (NSC), unintentional injuries are the third-leading cause of death in the United States, behind only cancer and heart disease. However, not all unintentional injuries result in deaths. Some of the most common types of injuries suffered by victims in various accidents include:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Broken or fractured bones
- Neck injuries
- Concussion
- Internal bleeding
- Cuts and lacerations
- Knee and ankle injuries
- Organ damage
- Paralysis
These are just some of the most common types of unintentional (accidental) injuries that occur each year in the United States.
Reasons to Seek Immediate Medical Attention
When you are involved in a car accident, you should never put off seeking medical attention for the following reasons:
- Your injury could get worse if left undiagnosed and untreated. It is critical to seek immediate medical attention after an accident so a doctor can properly diagnose and treat any injuries sustained during the accident. This is especially true for soft tissue injuries, such as whiplash, sprains, or strains. Without proper diagnosis and treatment, these types of injuries could become worse over time and potentially cause lasting damage or chronic pain.
- Seeking prompt medical attention connects your injury to the accident. In order to maximize compensation for your injuries, it’s important to connect your injury directly to the accident in question. This is typically done through medical records. By seeking prompt medical attention right away following the accident, you will have the necessary documentation which will serve as evidence that your injury was caused by the incident in question and not something else entirely unrelated.
- Your medical records will serve as evidence for maximizing compensation. Having access to accurate records related to your injury is essential when it comes time to make a claim with insurance companies or to pursue legal action against another party involved in the incident if necessary. If there is any gap between the time of the incident and when you seek medical attention—particularly if that gap is substantial—insurance companies may attempt to argue that your injury was not sustained during the incident itself.
- By seeking immediate medical attention, you can be certain that you are in compliance with insurance requirements. Following an accident, many insurance companies require injured individuals who are filing claims with them to seek medical attention within a certain period of time before they will approve their claim or offer compensation for their injuries. This timeline may vary depending on both individual policies and state regulations, so it’s important that you have an attorney review your policy to understand the applicable time limits in your case.
Overall, it is best to seek medical attention immediately after your accident, regardless of how minor your injuries may seem. The benefits of doing so substantially outweigh the drawbacks.
Work With an Experienced Attorney Immediately
The importance of receiving prompt medical attention following an accident cannot be overstated. Another important step you should take after seeking medical attention is contacting an attorney. As an experienced personal injury attorney in Missouri City, Texas, I can help you navigate the claims process and pursue the compensation to which you are entitled. Reach out to my office today to set up a confidential, no-obligation consultation.
