Yes, you should see a doctor within 72 hours of a car accident, even if you feel fine after the wreck. This will help identify and treat injuries, avoid further harm, and protect the viability of your accident claim with the insurance company.
Failing to seek medical attention right away can jeopardize your health and prevent you from recovering the compensation you need. Don’t risk losing thousands of dollars in compensation. The Rockwall car accident lawyers at Smith & Lee encourage you to get checked out as soon as possible.
Let’s explore why medical treatment is critical after a crash. To discuss your accident with our attorneys, contact our law firm online or call us at (972) 771-2579. We’re here to do right by you.
The Critical Importance of Seeing a Doctor After a Texas Car Accident
It is critical to see a car accident doctor soon after getting in a crash. This is important for two big reasons:
- You May Not Realize You’re Injured: Injuries are not always apparent immediately after an accident, and it may take a few hours for them to develop. Getting medical attention can help with delayed injuries and minimize the impact on your health and the risk of complications.
- Insurance Companies Pay Attention to Treatment: Insurance adjusters look closely at when you received medical care after an accident. If you wait too long, they may claim that your injuries were not severe enough, or that they were caused by an event other than the crash. As a result, insurance companies may try to pay you less or deny your claim.
How Long Do I Have to See a Doctor After a Car Wreck in Texas?
When asking should I see a doctor after a car accident, it is important to be aware that the sooner you seek medical attention, the better.
Consider 72 hours a good rule of thumb. This is considered a reasonable time frame for injuries to become noticeable, without waiting too long for your condition to be attributed to other causes.
Can I Still File a Claim If I Don’t Go to the Hospital Right Away?
You can still file a Texas car accident medical claim if you did not go to the hospital right away, but it may be more challenging to resolve your claim.
When you seek medical attention right after a collision, it links your injuries to the accident, so a lack of immediate medical care can leave you without valuable evidence. Gaps in treatment can also give insurance companies more leverage to try to avoid paying you.
Hidden Injuries: Why You Might Feel “Fine” Immediately After a Crash
Delayed injury symptoms after a car accident are very common, which is why you may feel fine right after an accident. In some cases, deep tissue injuries take time to make their way to the surface, and internal injuries are not visible to the eye. However, your body’s stress hormones also make a difference in what you may feel after a collision. This is why assessing your condition without a medical exam is often misleading and can cause more harm.
When your body suffers shock and trauma from a car accident, it triggers your fight or flight system. Cortisol and adrenaline are released throughout the body, which can mask feelings of pain and delay injuries. This also serves to act as a mental coping mechanism, which is another reason why you may not notice your injuries right away. Relying solely on what you feel could lead to more damage from an accident.
Common Delayed Injuries to Watch for After a Car Wreck
Some injuries may be more likely to be delayed than others. As the initial shock wears off, you may start experiencing pain and other symptoms. If you haven’t already, seek medical care right away to determine what is going on and get treatment for your condition.
Delayed symptoms after a car accident may be associated with these injuries:
- Whiplash: The neck and spine can sustain significant force from the sudden acceleration and deceleration caused by the impact of a car. Symptoms can develop in the hours or days after an accident and cause pain and other symptoms.
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): Head trauma can cause bleeding, swelling, tearing, or inflammation, and symptoms may develop later from cumulative injuries and complications.
- Internal Bleeding: Internal bleeding can occur anywhere in the body, and nausea and vomiting, disorientation, fatigue, and more can indicate signs of a serious condition.
- Soft Tissue Damage: Bruises, sprains, and strains are common types of soft tissue injuries caused by excessive pressure or strain on the muscles, ligaments, and tendons in the body.
If you notice symptoms or an increase in pain levels after an accident, act quickly and avoid delays in getting medical treatment. Time may be of the essence, and waiting too long could threaten your safety after a collision.
How Medical Documentation Protects Your Texas Legal Rights
Medical documentation protects your rights after an accident because it provides valuable evidence of your treatment and a link to the accident. When you see the doctor after a collision, they will document the scope, extent, and severity of your injuries and your future medical needs. This documentation is essential for helping you recover compensation and making sure you receive a fair amount that reflects your specific financial needs.
What Insurance Companies Will Look For
Insurance companies review your medical records to understand what you suffered, determine what expenses are medically necessary, and how much they are worth. They use your medical records in conjunction with other evidence to determine the value of your settlement in a Texas car accident medical claim.
Because your medical expenses make up the majority of your compensation, evidence of your medical care is essential for protecting your right to recover the losses you suffered.
Where to Seek Care: ER vs. Urgent Care vs. Primary Physician
In addition to asking yourself, “Should I see a doctor after a car accident?” you may also be wondering where you should go for treatment. This generally depends on how severe your injuries are after an accident.
- You should go to the ER if your injuries are severe, time-sensitive, and/or life-threatening.
- Urgent Care can provide medical attention for initial injuries that are not severe enough to warrant emergency care.
- For delayed injuries and general exams, see your primary physician.
Remember: You Must Render Aid After a Car Wreck
It is also important to be aware that all drivers have a legal duty to render aid (Texas Transportation Code § 550.021) at the scene of an accident if they are able to help injured parties. This can make a difference until first responders can arrive. It’s important to do right by others when they need help.
Understanding Texas “PIP” and Medical Payments Coverage
Personal injury protection (PIP) and MedPay are optional auto coverages that individuals can select for added protection. If you file a Texas car accident medical claim under either option, you can offset initial costs by receiving compensation for your medical expenses without having to establish fault.
A car accident lawyer can help you determine how to navigate these processes alongside your at-fault claim. They can also provide tips for filing a claim with your insurance company.
What If the Other Driver’s Insurance Offers to Pay My Medical Bills Immediately?
Beware of insurance companies that try to settle right after an accident. It can take time to understand the extent of your injuries after an accident, and settling too soon could cost you a considerable amount of compensation.
Since accepting a settlement means waiving all rights to future compensation requests for your injuries, insurance companies often provide lowball offers to settle for less than you are owed.
Steps to Take at the Doctor’s Office to Support Your Claim
Here are a couple of things to keep in mind when you see a doctor after a car wreck.
What Should I Tell My Doctor About the Accident?
When you talk with a car accident doctor in Texas, provide a factual description of the collision. Focus on the angle of impact, the force that you felt, and any other relevant factors from the accident that affect your condition. You should also explain any pain or sensations you felt during the crash, immediately after, and in the interim period between the accident and talking with a doctor.
Be Honest About Your Symptoms
When you see a car accident doctor in Texas after an accident, it is important to be honest with them about what you are experiencing. The more information you can provide doctors about your symptoms, the more effectively they can help you. This is also important so they accurately document the extent and severity of your injuries so you can be compensated appropriately later.
Do Not Downplay Pain or Other Injury Warning Signs
Trying to be strong and downplaying your injuries to the doctor can negatively impact your health and hurt the outcome of a personal injury claim. Instead, focus on how you are really feeling and what symptoms you are experiencing. Openly communicate with your doctor and avoid saying you’re “fine” or “okay.”
Get Copies of Medical Records
Finally, be sure to request copies of all of your medical records, test results, and any other relevant documentation, so you have copies for your records that you can submit with your claim. This ensures that you have the evidence you need for your case.
Hurt in a Car Wreck? Talk It Over with Smith & Lee
Whether you are dealing with delayed injury symptoms after a car accident, delayed medical treatment, pushback from insurance companies, or lowball offers, Smith & Lee can advocate for you. We can help navigate your case, protect your rights, and ensure you receive a fair settlement. For a free case evaluation, contact our law firm online or call (972) 771-2579.