After a car accident, it may seem difficult to figure out what to do next. After all, you may still be reeling from the psychological trauma of the incident. You might have a million questions running through your mind – including those related to legal issues, medical treatment, insurance, and much more. Out of all the steps you can possibly take, however, there is one that should be your top priority: Medical treatment. If you fail to get medical treatment in the hours, days, and weeks following your accident, you could encounter a wide range of issues.
Your Health Matters
Immediate medical treatment is important after a car accident for a number of reasons. First and foremost, it is simply a good idea from a health perspective. Your health matters – and your life is priceless. Although medical treatment can be expensive and daunting in California, there are more important things than money. If you fail to get medical treatment, your condition might become much worse with time.
For example, you might have suffered a serious head injury during your car accident. Perhaps you suffered a concussion, and you cannot remember the accident clearly due to memory loss. Despite this, you might feel relatively fine. Sure – you’re a little shaken up… But it is just a knock to the head, right? How bad could it be?
In reality, even a slight knock to the head can lead to serious, life-altering consequences if you are not careful. There are countless stories of head injury victims who have lost their lives due to slow brain bleeds. This cranial bleeding might be slow and completely unnoticeable at first. Eventually, however, the pressure on the brain becomes so great that the victim slips into a coma, suffers a stroke, or experiences an aneurysm, Ultimately, these consequences can be fatal.
A head injury is only one example of an injury that might seem much less serious than it actually is. Other examples include spinal injuries, internal organ damage, infected wounds, and many others. It always makes sense to “play it safe” and get checked out by an experienced doctor. You never know – it could save your life.
The Importance of Medical Records
Aside from the obvious benefits of prioritizing your own well-being, there are also legal and financial factors to consider. By seeking medical attention, you inherently create new medical records. These records may prove exceptionally useful as you pursue insurance claims, injury lawsuits, and similar steps.
For example, you might get medical treatment after suffering a broken leg in a car accident. You might first obtain an X-ray, a CT scan, or some other form of medical imaging. A doctor might then view the image and determine just how serious the fracture really is. From there, the doctor could jot down notes about the severity of the injury. Finally, you might receive surgery or other treatment to correct the fracture. Next, the doctor may provide you with instructions on how much work you will need to miss. All of these steps should be carefully noted in your medical records. Finally, you will receive bills for all of the treatment you have received.
When filing an injury claim, you may then refer back to these records to establish the severity of your situation, the financial losses that your crash has caused, and the total cost of treatment. This all serves as valuable evidence that establishes how much compensation you should receive for your injuries.
What Happens if I Do Not Get Medical Treatment After a Crash?
If you never get treatment after a crash, it becomes difficult to prove that your injuries are legitimate. The insurance companies or defendants might claim that you never suffered real injuries, and you would have no way to refute these claims. They might also argue that if the injuries were really so serious, you would have had no choice but to seek medical treatment as soon as possible. Even a slight delay in getting treatment could throw doubt on the validity of your injuries.
Find a Qualified Auto Accident Lawyer in California
If you have been searching for a qualified, experienced auto accident attorney in California, look no further than Miracle Law, APC. With our assistance, you can strive for the top results following a car accident. Although getting medical treatment should be your first priority after an incident on the road, obtaining legal representation should closely follow. To learn more about the importance of getting medical treatment, consider getting in touch right away. We can guide you toward the compensation you need to cover your medical bills, missed wages, and other damages.