A hundred questions run through your mind in the seconds after an auto accident. What just happened? Am I ok? What about my passengers? Where is the other driver? How badly am I hurt? What do I do now?
If you are still able to walk and haven’t suffered any obvious trauma, it can be easy to think you’ve escaped unharmed. That may in fact be true, but the only way to be sure is to get yourself checked out by a doctor.
Discovering and Treating Non-Obvious Injuries
Every car accident is different, but they all share one thing in common: the people involved are shocked by what just happened and their adrenaline is pumping.
That combination of shock and adrenaline can easily mask the severity of injuries. For example, what feels like a sore neck in the minutes after the accident might actually be something serious, like cervical spine damage. A sore leg could be a torn muscle.
That is why everyone involved in a Texas car or truck accident should visit a doctor immediately after the wreck. Only a trained medical professional can fully evaluate the injuries, prescribe appropriate treatment and monitor you in the weeks and months following the crash.
Creating Medical Records That Serve as Evidence
If it turns out that you were indeed hurt and eventually need to file a personal injury lawsuit to recover compensation, you will need proper evidence in order to get a positive outcome. Medical records are a key type of evidence, and they can only be created by going to the doctor as soon as you can after the accident.
Not only are the medical records themselves helpful, but the following items related to medical care are also very valuable in building a case for injury compensation:
- Hospital bills
- Lists of treatments and medications prescribed, along with their cost
- Full list of any specialists to whom you’re referred for further treatment or care
How Much Time Do I Have Before Going to the Doctor After a Car Accident?
Obviously, injuries that are very serious will have you in the hospital nearly right away, perhaps by ambulance. But for other injuries that may not seem as severe right away, getting medical attention is something you should do as soon as you possibly can.
There is no hard and fast rule about the timing, but many insurance companies will fight hard against paying any compensation to a person who fails to see a doctor “within a reasonable time.” For many companies, that reasonable time is about 72 hours.
If your primary care physician isn’t available within 72 hours, consider going to urgent care. There are many in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area. It may cost more up front than your normal doctor, but the bill can be submitted to insurance.
Our Texas Personal Injury Lawyers Are Here to Help
If you were in a car accident around Dallas and believe you suffered injuries that require compensation, the attorneys here at The Fell Law Firm are ready to help. We’ll meet with you, talk about the and advise you accordingly. Contact us today, and until then, please make sure to see a doctor if you haven’t already.
