Getting into a car crash can change your daily schedule significantly. You may have to wait an hour or even longer for police officers to arrive to take a report. You will also likely have to make arrangements for someone to tow your vehicle to a shop for repairs or to a junkyard to get scrapped if your insurance has already declared the vehicle totaled.
Adding another stop to an already congested and delayed daily schedule is probably the last thing you want to do. However, getting a medical evaluation after a crash can be one of the most important steps that you take.
A doctor can spot the warning signs of potentially severe injuries
Major injuries that you could suffer in a car crash, like a brain injury, might not seem obvious right after a collision. Between delayed onset symptoms and the possibility for your body to hide the signs of your injury right after a crash, you can easily overlook the warning signs of life-altering injuries.
Your doctor should do a thorough examination and order additional testing if there’s any reason to suspect that you can have a hidden injury like internal bleeding. A quick diagnosis right after the crash might increase your chances of fully recovering.
Medical records make it easier to get compensation
Securing compensation after a crash can be an uphill battle. Whether you have to negotiate with the other driver’s insurance company or file a personal injury lawsuit, you need evidence of actual financial losses.
A diagnosis from your doctor will likely lead to further medical care. Your treatment records will help support your claim that the crash caused an injury that resulted in expenses for you. Although there is the possibility that your doctor will determine there is nothing wrong with you, it is usually better to err on the side of caution for both your legal and medical protection after a crash.