Getting into a car accident can be a scary experience – one that may leave you with a painful or life-threatening injury. If you do sustain an injury, you may be unsure about how or when to seek medical attention. The following guide should help make matters a little easier:
Your Guide to Seeking Medical Care After a Car Crash
No two car accidents are alike. As such, the need for medical care can vary significantly from case to case. In most instances, however, you will want to follow these steps:
Seek Medical Attention as Soon as Possible
In the aftermath of a car crash, your health should be your number one priority. If you notice any pain or other worrying symptoms after a motor vehicle collision, seek medical attention immediately. If you believe that you cannot safely make it to a hospital on your own, then call for an ambulance.
Not all injuries make themselves known immediately, however. If, for example, you have suffered a brain injury, it may take days or weeks for all recognizable symptoms to appear. Likewise, you may not feel the pain of soft tissue injuries immediately after a crash. That is why we always advise our clients to seek medical care after an accident, even one in which they think they have not been hurt.
When it comes to your health, it is always better to be safe than sorry. The earlier a doctor can diagnose your injury, the greater your chances of making a full physical, emotional, and financial recovery.
Follow Your Doctor’s Treatment Plan
A physician who has thoroughly examined you will provide you with a treatment plan to help you recover. Depending on the nature of your injury, that plan could include anything from surgery to physical therapy.
It is in your best interest to stick to your treatment plan as closely as possible. Doing so is likely to make you feel better, faster, and will also help you protect your legal rights in the event you later decide to file a lawsuit against the individual who caused your accident. Deviating from a treatment plan could cost you not just in terms of your physical health, but also financially.
Keep Copies of All Medical Records and Bills
Your doctor makes a new entry in your medical records with every appointment. If you plan to initiate a personal injury lawsuit after your car crash, you would be wise to make simple notes that indicate the date(s) of treatment and what occurred on those dates.
While obtaining medical treatment, you will likely also need to make insurance co-payments or to pay for procedures entirely out of your own pocket. Keeping a record of all of the medical bills that you pay will make it much easier for you to prove the amount of compensation you deserve when it comes time to file a lawsuit.
Recovering Compensation After Your Car Accident
If the negligent behavior of another party caused your car accident, then you may have the right to seek compensation via a personal injury lawsuit. The money you recover by taking legal action can help you to pay for the medical expenses that have piled up in the aftermath of your crash.
The fact that you have been diligently following your doctor’s advice and retaining all of your medical bills and keeping track of all visits and treatment rendered at each visit, will be of great assistance to your attorney. Your lawyer will be able to use this evidence in proving that you were injured and that you have incurred damages as a result.
In addition to medical expenses, you may also be able to recover compensation for the following damages after a car accident:
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of future earnings
- Loss of enjoyment of life
A knowledgeable personal injury attorney will be able to give you a more complete picture of the compensation that you may be eligible to receive.
Doehrman Buba – Your Indianapolis Car Accident Law Firm
The attorneys at Doehrman Buba have been helping the people of Indianapolis recover compensation after car accidents for years. We credit our long track record of success to our intimate knowledge of the law and our tireless work on behalf of injured clients. If you would like us to assist you in your battle to pay for medical care after a car accident, then please do not hesitate to give us a call or contact us online.