Car accidents can have sudden and often serious impacts on the health of the driver and passengers, and while some injuries are immediately evident, others may take days or even weeks to fully manifest. Receiving prompt medical attention after a car accident, even for seemingly minor injuries, is essential.
Seeking medical treatment promptly after a car accident is essential because it not only aids in diagnosing and managing injuries before they escalate but also offers important documentation for insurance companies and legal matters. This article examines the key reasons why early medical evaluation, intervention, and treatment are vital following a car accident.
- Insurance Companies Are Not On Your Side
We have seen situations where a potential client will call about an accident that occurred weeks ago. When we inquire about their injuries and treatment, we are told “I was waiting for the insurance company to call me back.” Why?
Insurance companies are NOT on your side. The insurance company representing the at-fault party has NO duty or responsibility to you because you are not insured through them. Their obligations extend only to their own policyholders (i.e., the drivers they insure) and their shareholders.
It’s important to understand that this situation does not change, even if both you and the at-fault party are insured with the same insurance company. The insurance company still has NO duty or responsibility to you because you are making a claim against the policy of the at-fault party, not under your own insurance policy.
The following is true, whether you are going through your own insurance or the insurance company representing the party at fault:
- Insurance companies will NOT send you to be checked out at Urgent Care, or offer to pay for it.
- Insurance companies will NOT send you to be examined by your primary care doctor, or offer to pay for it.
- Insurance companies will NOT send you to be examined and treated by a chiropractor or a physical therapist, or offer to pay for it.
- Insurance companies will NOT send you to be examined and evaluated by an Orthopedist or a pain management doctor, or offer to pay for it.
- Insurance companies will NOT send you to get X-rays to determine the extent of your injuries, or offer to pay for it.
- Insurance companies will NOT send you to have an MRI to determine the extent of your injuries, or offer to pay for it.
So, why are you waiting for the insurance company? Waiting is useless!
- Delayed Treatment Reduces the Value of Your Case
When seeking compensation for medical expenses, and other damages including pain and suffering, it’s essential to have a well-documented medical report. Insurance companies will use any and all excuses to reduce payouts by questioning the timing of your treatment. So, the longer you wait to receive treatment, the less valuable your claim will become.
A prompt medical evaluation not only establishes a clear connection between the accident and the injuries you sustained, but it also strengthens your claims for financial compensation. Thorough documentation of your injuries is especially important if a lawsuit becomes necessary because it provides an official record of both your injuries and their severity.
- Early Diagnosis Can Prevent Complications
One primary reason for seeking medical care immediately after a car accident is that many injuries—such as whiplash, soft tissue damage, and even internal injuries—may not show symptoms immediately.
The shock and adrenaline from an accident can conceal pain and injury. Conditions such as internal bleeding, concussions, and spinal injuries may not show symptoms until they have advanced, potentially leading to severe consequences if not treated.
Early medical intervention allows doctors to diagnose and address these injuries promptly, minimizing the risk of complications and long-term issues.
- Effective Pain Management and Rehabilitation
Early medical intervention is crucial for effective pain management. Injuries from car accidents, especially those affecting the back, neck, and joints, can lead to chronic pain if not managed promptly.
Proper medical evaluation enables the healthcare provider to create a customized pain management plan, which may include chiropractic, physical therapy, medications, or other interventions. Early chiropractic, physical therapy and rehabilitation can help restore mobility, prevent stiffness, and accelerate recovery.
- Reduced Long-Term Health Impact
Early treatment can significantly reduce the likelihood of developing chronic conditions. Injuries such as whiplash, spinal injuries, and traumatic brain injuries can lead to long-lasting effects that negatively impact quality of life if not addressed promptly.
Seeking immediate medical evaluation and following up with appropriate treatments can help prevent complications like chronic pain, mobility issues, and psychological effects such as PTSD.
- Psychological Benefits of Early Medical Care
Car accidents can be traumatic events, and it is common for individuals to experience anxiety, depression, or PTSD afterward. Engaging in early treatment can be reassuring, giving individuals peace of mind that they are being proactive about their health. Mental health support as part of early treatment can also help individuals cope with the stress and trauma associated with the accident, providing both physical and emotional recovery.
- Establishing a Baseline for Future Health Monitoring
Injuries from accidents can sometimes evolve over time, and initial medical examinations can serve as a valuable baseline. This allows physicians to monitor the progression or healing of injuries, which can be critical for understanding long-term effects. Baseline measurements help healthcare providers to detect even subtle changes in a patient’s condition and adjust treatment as necessary.
- Our Role as a Personal Injury / Accident Attorney
How can we, The Mason Law Firm, a firm specializing injury and accident cases help? We have over 27 years of legal experience helping, managing and litigating accident cases, including car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accident, pedestrian accident, bus accidents, and construction site accidents.
We work with and advise you as to the best course of action when it comes to your physical and mental health. We will find the best possible treatment options for you and monitor your treatment progress to make sure that you are getting the treatment you need.
Depending on the facts of each accident, and the severity of your injuries, we will discuss options that may include:
- Receiving treatment on a “lien” basis. Under this scenario, we will refer you to a healthcare provider whom we trust, and the provider will examine, evaluate and treat you. The provider will place a lien on your case and get paid once the case is resolved.
- Using your health insurance, if you have one. This option is best used when liability is not clear or there is insufficient insurance on the side of the party at fault for the accident.
- A combination of both.
As we mentioned earlier, waiting for the insurance company to get back to you is useless. Conversely, contacting us has the opposite effect. Indeed, we should be your first call after an accident.
We handle injury and accident cases throughout California, including Los Angeles County, Santa Clarita Valley, San Fernando Valley, Ventura County, Orange County, and Kern County.
We work on contingency. So, there are no out-of-pocket expenses and we only get paid when there is a recovery on the case, i.e. when the case resolves.