If you were injured in a car accident that wasn't your fault, you are likely facing a variety of legal and medical challenges.
As you try to recover from your injury, the importance of getting proper medical treatment cannot be overstated. Following are the basic and most important reasons for you to get the specific medical care you need.
Your Health Should Be Your Main Concern
After a crash, there may be multiple legal and insurance-related issues to worry about, but getting better physically and mentally should be your top priority. The reality is that injuries resulting from auto accidents can affect every aspect of a person's life for years to come. The sooner you can get the medical treatment you need, the sooner you can start getting better.
Also, if you wait to get treated for an injury, the insurance company will interpret this as evidence that your injury is not as serious as it is, and you may not receive all of the compensation you need.
Remember: Not Every Injury Is Obvious at First
If the collision caused visible cuts and lacerations, there is no doubt that you were injured. But not every injury is outwardly visible, and some injuries don't present themselves until days or even weeks after the accident.
For example, depending on the facts of the crash, internal bruising and bleeding are a possibility, as is a concussion or whiplash. If left untreated, these types of injuries can have long-term effects on a person's health, so it is best to get checked out by a doctor soon after a motor vehicle accident, even if an injury doesn't seem serious at first.
Medical Documentation and Your Injury Claim
If you plan to file an accident claim -- as you should -- then having your injuries documented by a medical professional will be crucial to your case. You could be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, and getting prompt medical treatment starts the process of documenting the full cost of the injury.
Keep in mind, too, that insurance companies routinely offer settlements that do not cover all of the costs resulting from a crash, so speak with a personal injury attorney before agreeing to the insurance company's initial offer. You may be entitled to significantly more.
To learn more about these matters, please see our Car Accident FAQ. With offices in Temecula and Hemet, our firm represents injury victims in Riverside County and the surrounding areas.