Yes, if you are injured in any way whatsoever then you absolutely should seek medical treatment from a medical professional immediately. Any delay in seeking medical treatment could be detrimental to your condition. Likewise, one of the factors insurance adjusters will look at closely when evaluating your case is how long after the accident the claimant/injured victim waited before seeking medical treatment. Therefore, in addition to being dangerous to your health, a delay in seeking medical treatment could also be detrimental to your case.
If you are feeling pain at the scene of a collision, allow emergency medical personnel to transport you to an emergency facility. Taking a ambulance to a Hospital Room could save your life. We will help you deal with the medical bills later and force the at-fault party’s insurance company (or your insurance company if you need to recover under UM/UIM) to pay for those bills. For now worry about saving your life and treating your injuries.
If you are too hurt at the scene of the accident, ask someone else to call the ambulance for you. Otherwise, you can have a friend or family member take you to the doctor or hospital as soon as you finish up at the scene of the accident.
Delayed Injuries
Some people don’t go to the hospital because they feel “fine” immediately after a crash. This is understandable. Accidents can cause a person to generate a tremendous amount of adrenaline. This is the “fight or flight” chemical that causes people’s heart rates to increase and for blood to pound in their temples.
Adrenaline can actually mask pain. This is why a professional athlete can sprain their ankle in a game and keep playing. After a car accident, you might not realize that you are injured. However, as days pass, you might begin to feel back pain, neck pain, or constant headaches. Affected body parts can swell, increasing pressure on nearby nerves and making it difficult to sleep. These could be the first signs of serious injuries that should be checked by a medical professional.
These are some common delayed injuries:
Even if you feel fine, you should go to the doctor and discuss your accident. Return if you begin to feel considerable pain. It is vital to create a paper record of how you are feeling at all times, and visiting a doctor soon after a collision can accomplish that.
One reason people delay going to the doctor is that they do not have health insurance. If they did, then they could use their insurance to pay for the care initially. Of course, after receiving a settlement, their insurer probably has a right to be reimbursed for any sums they paid out to treat the injuries. This is called a “right of subrogation,” and most insurers reserve this right in their policies.
What happens if you lack health insurance? Check to see if you carry medical payments coverage. This is no-fault insurance that can pay for the initial cost of care. Many people carry at least a few thousand dollars in medical payments insurance, which is an excellent benefit to have.
Alternately, you can pay with a credit card or out of pocket. If you win a settlement, then your medical bills should be paid, so you will get this money back. However, you need to initially pay for the doctor’s care, since settlement can take many months.
Also meet with a lawyer to discuss how to pay for care. They might know of doctors who will treat you on an installment plan, which can make care affordable until you receive your settlement.
One of our Las Vegas car accident attorneys will be happy to meet with you to discuss paying for the medical care that you need. We can also begin working on your case. Dealing with the insurance adjuster is a hassle, and you should focus on your recovery. Call us today to schedule a free consultation, 702-252-0055.