IT’S CRITICAL TO SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION AFTER A CAR ACCIDENT

Many car accident victims skip going to a doctor for a variety of reasons. Some believe they do not need medical attention because they think their injuries are minor or they were not injured at all, while others do not get medical care because they cannot afford it.

However, failure to visit an emergency room or doctor and get checked out can have long-term consequences for your health and your ability to obtain fair compensation. At the Law Offices of John Schmidt & Associates PLLC, we help car accident victims in Shepherdsville, Kentucky, as well as Louisville, Elizabethtown, Jeffersontown, Mount Washington, and Radcliff. Below, we will explain why it is critical to receive medical care following a car accident.

Common Injuries After a Car Accident

Unfortunately, car accidents are quite common in Kentucky. Thousands of Kentuckians are injured in motor vehicle collisions each year. According to a report by the Kentucky Transportation Center, more than 29,000 people suffered injuries in car accidents and 780 others died in 2020.

Depending on the force of impact, the types of vehicles involved, and other factors, car accident victims may suffer the following types of injuries:

• Concussions

• Whiplash

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)

• Spinal cord injuries

• Back and neck injuries

• Paralysis

• Crush injuries

• Fractured bones

• Broken bones

• Broken ribs

• Knee and leg injuries

• Internal organ damage

• Lacerations

• Burn injuries

• Bruises

Some of these common car accident injuries may not be apparent right after the collision. For this reason, accident victims should seek medical attention immediately after the crash to detect any non-obvious injuries, even if they feel fine.

Why You Need to Seek Immediate Medical Attention

There are at least three reasons why seeking immediate medical attention is critical after a car crash:

1. Take care of your health. The sooner you diagnose your injuries and begin the appropriate treatment, the more likely you are to recover and get back on your feet. Many types of injuries do not show any symptoms in the hours or even days following the accident. The longer you wait, the more dangerous your injuries become.

2. Strengthen your legal case. While taking care of your health is the primary reason to seek immediate medical attention, the second reason is that receiving medical care right away strengthens your personal injury claim. If you do not receive medical care within a reasonable amount of time after the accident, the insurance company could claim that your injuries are not as serious as you claim or that you suffered injuries elsewhere.

3. Obtain critical medical records and documentation. When you go to a hospital to receive medical care, you will have vital medical records documenting your injuries and symptoms. Your medical records will serve as an invaluable piece of evidence for your future personal injury claim. Without proper documentation of your injuries, you may not be able to obtain full compensation for your damages and losses. Make sure that you keep track of all your expenses and losses suffered as a result of your injury.

Following Through With Your Treatment Plan

While we talk about the importance of seeking medical attention as soon as possible after a car accident, it is equally important to follow through with your treatment plan. Accident victims should follow the prescribed treatment plan and go to every follow-up appointment to ensure that their doctor can track the progress of their treatment and, if necessary, make changes to it to ensure a speedy recovery.

If your car accident was the result of someone else’s negligence (e.g., the driver was speeding or distracted), you might be entitled to financial compensation for your damages and losses. If this sounds like your situation, you may want to consider working with an experienced personal injury lawyer to help you pursue the compensation you need while you focus on your treatment.

Getting the Experienced Legal Guidance You Need

At the Law Offices of John Schmidt & Associates PLLC, we serve accident victims in Shepherdsville, Kentucky, as well as Louisville, Radcliff, Jeffersontown, and surrounding areas. If you need legal guidance, schedule a case review with our attorneys to discuss your case and explore your options for compensation.