Getting medical treatment and an incident report after an injury ensures your health and safety while creating vital documentation for a personal injury claim. Medical records verify the severity and cause of your injuries, while an incident report establishes the facts of the event. Together, they provide evidence to support your case and maximize potential compensation.
After an injury, many people feel overwhelmed and unsure about the crucial steps they need to take. Delays in seeking medical treatment or improperly filing an incident report can lead to complications, jeopardizing both recovery and the ability to receive fair compensation.
Neglecting these steps not only puts your health at risk but can also undermine your legal rights. Without proper documentation, proving the extent of your injuries or the circumstances of the incident becomes much harder, leaving you vulnerable to disputes or denials.
This article provides a clear, step-by-step guide to help you navigate medical treatment and incident reporting after an injury. Explore what our top-rated car accident attorneys in Las Vegas recommend and discover how to prioritize your health, document your case thoroughly, and protect your rights effectively.
The Importance of Getting Medical Treatment and the Incident Report After an Injury
Getting medical treatment and filing an incident report are two critical steps that go hand in hand after an injury.
Immediate medical treatment not only ensures that you address visible injuries but also identifies hidden or delayed symptoms that could worsen over time. This step protects your health and establishes a documented medical record, which can be crucial if you need to pursue a legal or insurance claim.
An incident report, on the other hand, serves as an official record of the accident, detailing the circumstances, individuals involved, and evidence surrounding the event. Together, these actions create a strong foundation to protect your rights, establish accountability, and support any compensation claims you may need to make.
Neglecting either can leave gaps in your case, making it harder to recover fully—physically, emotionally, and financially.
Getting Medical Treatment
After an injury, getting medical treatment is not just important for your health but also for strengthening a potential personal injury case. We recommend prioritizing medical care as it creates a clear record of your injuries and their impact.
This record can be crucial evidence if you decide to pursue compensation for damages.
Types of Medical Treatment to Strengthen Your Case
Here’s an overview of the types of medical treatment that can help build a strong personal injury case:
- Emergency Room Visits: Immediately after the injury, seeking care at an emergency room can demonstrate the seriousness of your condition. ER staff will assess, document, and treat acute injuries, which is often the first official record of your case.
- Primary Care Physician (PCP) Checkups: Following up with your regular doctor ensures continuity of care and allows for a comprehensive evaluation. Your PCP can also coordinate further tests or referrals to specialists if needed.
- Diagnostic Testing: Imaging tests like X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans provide concrete evidence of injuries such as fractures, soft tissue damage, or head trauma. Attorneys often rely on these results to substantiate claims.
- Specialist Consultations: Depending on your injury, you may need to see specialists such as:
- Orthopedists for bone and joint injuries.
- Neurologists for brain or nerve damage.
- Pain Management Specialists for chronic pain resulting from the injury.
- Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation: Documenting your recovery process through physical therapy notes can demonstrate the long-term impact of the injury and the efforts required to regain function.
- Mental Health Counseling: Injuries can also cause emotional trauma. Seeking therapy or counseling can establish the psychological impact of the injury, which may be considered in your case.
- Chiropractic Care: For injuries related to the spine or musculoskeletal system, chiropractic treatment can be beneficial. Be sure to use a licensed professional, as their records can be part of your claim.
- Surgery or Advanced Treatments: In cases of severe injuries, undergoing surgery or other advanced medical procedures not only aids recovery but also highlights the gravity of the harm suffered.
- Pain and Symptom Journals: While not medical treatment per se, keeping a daily log of your symptoms, pain levels, and how the injury affects your life can complement medical records to give a complete picture of your suffering.
By seeking these types of treatment and maintaining detailed records, you’re not only ensuring your recovery but also building a stronger case that your Las Vegas personal injury attorney can use to pursue maximum compensation.
Getting Incident Reports
If you are involved in a car accident that results in injury to you or another person or property, you should contact local authorities to report the accident.
As a legal matter, you have an obligation to report car accidents in Nevada resulting in injuries, fatalities, or property damage. As a practical matter, reporting an accident to the authorities can help you process an insurance claim and can be used in legal proceedings to protect your rights.
Furthermore, you should make a report in the event of other personal injuries, such as in the case of a dog bite or a slip and fall accident.
What Information is Included in an Incident Report?
The type of information that will be included in an incident report one will vary slightly with each type of accident. The information in a car accident report will differ slightly from the information included in a slip and fall accident report. Notably, however, certain information is included in most incident reports. This includes:
- The names of the parties involved in the accident
- A description of the accident with a possible picture of the accident
- Witnesses to the accident
- Statements from individuals involved in the accident or witnesses
- A finding of possible liability, including possible fines or citations
- The name of the officer who completed the report with badge identification number
Importantly, if the police are not contacted at the time of the accident, you can also file a police report after the accident. Depending on the type of the report, you may be able to file a police report over the phone when calling the non-emergency number (311), or (702) 828-3111. Or a report may also be filed at Police Records Bureau, located at 400 S. Martin L. King Blvd., Building C.
How to Obtain a Las Vegas Incident Report
After the incident report is completed, you will want to obtain a copy of the report. Your insurance company will want this report to help process a claim. What’s more, you may also use this report in support of a lawsuit against another party to hold them liable for your injuries. When requesting an accident report, the following information is needed:
- Event number, if available;
- Location (including cross streets);
- Date and time of accident;
- Name (first and last) of party(ies) involved; and
- License plate number of the vehicle(s) in accident, if known.
To obtain a copy of an accident report, you can request a copy by sending a request via letter or by picking it up at the Police Records Bureau. If sending a request by mail, you will need to include:
- Original notarized authorization of a copy of your driver’s license (or other government issued identification. The date must not be expired.);
- A return addressed envelope; and
- $9.00 (cashier’s check or money order payable to Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. You should not send personal checks or cash.).
When submitting a request by mail, you should send the request to Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, Attn: Correspondence Section, 400 S. Martin Luther King Boulevard, Building C, Las Vegas, NV 89106.
Common Injuries Suffered Following an Accident
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, injuries are the leading cause of death for people between the ages of 1 and 44.
Further, motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death among Americans between the ages of 5 and 34, with about 18,000 people dying each year. What’s more, slip and falls account for approximately 20% of fatalities every year.
From car crashes to slip-and-falls to surgical errors, unintentional accidents can cause different types of injuries, including catastrophic injuries and even death. As such, it is paramount that you seek immediate medical attention anytime that you are involved in an accident. Common personal injuries in Vegas from accidents include:
- Cuts, bruises, and lacerations
- Leg injuries, including knee sprains and tears, broken bones, and fractures
- Abdominal injuries, including broken or fractured ribs
- Facial injuries, including cuts and bruises
- Head injuries, including concussions and traumatic brain injuries
- Neck injuries, including spinal cord injuries resulting in paralysis
- Back injuries and chest injuries
Ultimately, the type and severity of any injury will depend on the circumstances of each situation. For any of these injuries, however, it is imperative to seek immediate medical attention.
Common Undiagnosed or Untreated Accidents
While many injuries suffered during an accident may be obvious, other injuries are not as easily detectable or may not show up for some time after the accident. Examples of these types of injuries include:
- Concussions, which can result in headaches, blurred vision, dizziness, sensitivity to light, or difficulty breathing;
- Soft tissue injuries to muscles, tendons, and ligaments, such as “whiplash” injuries; and
- Emotional harm, such as post-traumatic stress disorder.
Contact a Las Vegas Injury Attorney Today
If you have questions about incident reports or how to obtain one, the Las Vegas injury attorneys at the Ladah law firm can help. The Las Vegas personal injury attorneys at the Ladah law firm have experience in helping individuals in all types of personal injury accidents, including premises liability and motor vehicle accidents.
Contact our Las Vegas accident attorneys today to discuss your case. You can call us today at 702-252-0055 or visit our office at 517 South 3rd Street in Las Vegas.
Conclusion
Seeking prompt and appropriate medical treatment after an injury is essential for both your recovery and the success of your personal injury claim.
It not only protects your health but also provides critical documentation to support your case. By following through with the recommended types of care, you can build a strong foundation for obtaining the compensation you deserve.
If you would like to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney about the importance of getting medical treatment or getting incident reports, contact us to schedule a free consultation.