Why You Should Get Immediate Medical Attention After an Auto Accident

Auto accidents can drastically change someone’s life, especially severe accidents. Most people are confused about what do after an accident. The first thing that you should is to seek immediate medical treatment. It doesn’t matter if your injuries are minor or serious. After seeking medical treatment, you should notify your insurance company.  After notifying your insurance company, you should contact your local Fresno personal injury lawyer.  The following are the reasons why you should seek medical treatment immediately after an auto accident.

Some injuries might not be apparent at the time

Some injuries do not show signs for days since your body can delay the pain. This happens because your body releases endorphins, a group of neurotransmitters that block pain receptors. Since auto accidents put you in stressful situations, your body responds by releasing endorphins. This causes you to not feel the full impact of the accident right away. This does not mean that you are okay!

Pain is the number one symptom in auto accidents and endorphins can delay it for hours or days. This makes you think that you are okay when you are not. Injuries that can take a while to show symptoms include whiplash, traumatic brain injury, and spinal cord and neck injuries.

Therefore, it is very important to seek medical attention even if you don’t feel any pain or other symptoms. A doctor will perform medical tests and imaging that will identify your injury. This will ensure that you receive the required treatment for your injuries.

You have a better chance of quick recovery

Delaying medical treatment after an accident can worsen your injury. Internal injuries don’t always manifest noticeable symptoms immediately. Leaving injuries unaddressed reduces your chances of recovery; however, treatment stops your injury from progressing. Medication, surgery or physical therapy may help treat your condition promptly.

Since some injuries may require referrals to surgeons and medical specials, visiting immediately ensures that you get timely appointments. Your doctor will also advise you the right time to resume duties, which is very important for healing.

Delayed treatment risks your claim

You will probably file a claim against your own or the negligent party’s insurance company. Insurance companies often try to reduce or avoid paying your claim. If you delay treatment, the insurance company will argue that your injuries were not as severe as you claim. Official documentation showing that you sought immediate medical attention will help you avoid these issues.

Delayed medical treatment reduces the chance of winning your legal case

You may choose to file a personal injury lawsuit if your injury was caused by a negligent driver. You must prove that the defendant caused your injuries for you to receive compensation. If you delay treatment, the jury can decide that your injuries were not as serious as you claim.

The standard time that insurance companies use in evaluating your claim is 72 hours after the accident. Insurance companies will always focus on minimizing your coverage and will look for a reason to achieve this. Failing to seek immediate medical treatment will justify that your injuries were not severe. You should, therefore, seek medical treatment within 72 hours of the accident. For all of your auto accident and personal injury needs, be sure to contact a reputable Fresno lawyer to handle your case. At Legal Aed, we are here for you!