If you have recently had an accident, you might believe that seeking medical help is unnecessary. After all, what can go wrong? You feel totally fine! Unfortunately, things can quickly go south if you head down this route. Ignoring medical treatment after an accident is one of the gravest mistakes you can ever make.
Not only will it have serious health implications down the line, but you might end up having no proof of what actually transpired. If you are still contemplating the merits of seeking medical help, you must know that there is much more to lose than to gain if you don’t.
Here are some of the reasons why checking with a doctor is always recommended after an accident.
To Make Sure that You Have Not Sustained Serious Injuries
One moment you may think that you are in tip-top shape, and the next, you are in a hospital bed with a handful of doctors checking your vitals—human bodies are funny like that. When you are in an accident, your body goes into a fight-or-flight mode. With adrenaline rushing through your body, you may not feel any pain, only to discover that you actually sustained an injury after a few days.
Moreover, some latent injuries like post-concussion syndrome manifest after a while. Instead of waiting until your minor injuries lead to permanent damage, you should head to a hospital right away. We get it if you hate hospitals, but a quick visit should not be a big deal. Think about it; wouldn’t it be better to know that something is wrong when you could still fix it than discover the problem when it is too late to do anything?
To Get Evidence
If the accident was your fault, there is nothing to gain from filing a compensation claim. On the other hand, demanding reimbursement because you are suffering the consequences of someone else’s negligence is well within your rights. Even low impact injuries can get worse as time passes, impairing your motor functions and causing you to lose your source of income. Of course, it is not fair to experience this awful situation while the other party remains calm about the suffering they have caused you.
However, how can you know that you need to file a personal injury claim when you are not even aware of the damage your body sustained in the accident? Not only will seeking medical help guarantee immediately that your injuries will not worsen, but the documents the process will result in will be of great help in building a solid case later on.
To Avoid Piquing Suspicion
Imagine the following scenario: You are an insurer who receives a claim in which a person alleges that they were severely injured in an accident six months ago. Will you be inclined to believe their story? Most probably, the answer is “no.” The situation itself seems suspicious. If their injuries were as serious as they claim, why didn’t they demand reimbursement right away?
You must understand that insurance companies have specific time limits regarding compensation claims. These limits vary from one state to another. In some cases, you have only 24 hours to file a claim and submit proof of your injuries. After that, the insurer may deny the claim. This is why sticking to such deadlines is extremely vital.
To Get Higher Compensation
It is an open secret that insurance companies always try their hardest to convince claimants of accepting a measly settlement. If you do not know how much the accident has affected your life, you will most probably accept the first deal the insurance adjuster offers you. Because you have no evidence to leverage, a small reimbursement may look logical.
However, you may discover after accepting it that you were actually ripped off. When you see a medical professional right after being involved in an accident, you can up your chances of getting fair compensation because you will be aware of how severe your condition really is. So, don’t let insurance companies push you around or bully you into giving up your rights.
It is easy to pretend that everything is alright after an accident. After all, it is understandable that you might want to move on and get your life back on track as soon as possible. While you may think that this is the best course of action, it can actually do more harm than good. Hopefully, now you know why getting a medical evaluation right after an accident is of utmost importance. Doing so will not only give you some peace of mind, but it is also going to ensure that you do not end up waiving your rights.