Were you injured in a car accident in Lawrenceville, GA? If so, it’s vital to seek prompt medical attention and have a physician diagnose your injuries so that you can begin receiving treatment. Untreated injuries can lead to life-threatening complications down the road.
Car crash injuries may be mild, moderate, or severe, depending on the nature of the accident. If you sustained serious injuries, you will likely need to call 911 and be taken to an ER for emergency medical treatment. But if you only suffered minor injuries, you might be wondering: is it necessary to seek medical attention? And if so, when?
What Treatment Should I Seek After a Car Crash?
Seeking prompt medical attention should be your number one priority after being injured in a car accident. Depending on the circumstances of the accident and the severity of your injuries, you might need to seek treatment in one of the following places:
- Emergency room – If your injuries are severe, you will most likely need to call 911 and request emergency services. You should have someone else call for you if you are unable. An ambulance will take you to the nearest ER to receive immediate care. If your injuries initially appeared to be mild but suddenly get worse, or if the accident you were involved in occurred at a late hour, you should also consider going to the ER, as ER’s are typically open 24/7.
- Urgent care clinic – You could visit an urgent care clinic instead of the ER if your injuries are not as serious or life-threatening. Urgent care clinics are often open late and you don’t usually need to schedule an appointment to see a doctor. One added benefit of receiving care at an urgent care clinic is that it tends to be cheaper than receiving care at an ER.
- Your doctor – If your injuries are mild or moderate, and you don’t seem to need immediate medical attention, you could visit your primary care physician (PCP) for a medical evaluation. However, you should still see your doctor as soon as possible, preferably within 72 hours of the crash. If you feel sore or are experiencing aches and pains in certain parts of your body, your PCP can run tests to determine the nature of your injuries.
- Specialist – Urgent care clinics are not generally set up to provide specialized care, nor are most PCP’s. If necessary, your treating physician may refer you to a specialist for surgery or other specialized treatments that the urgent care facility or doctor’s office doesn’t offer.
Some crash victims decide not to pursue medical treatment after a car accident because they don’t believe they are seriously hurt. Whether you are concerned about the expense or want to move on from the accident, you should be evaluated by a doctor regardless of the severity of the crash. Even if you feel okay, you could have sustained injuries that haven’t yet revealed themselves. It’s never a bad idea to get checked out by a doctor, just in case.
How Long Can I Wait to See a Physician After a Car Wreck?
After being injured in an accident, you’ll likely have to file a claim with your insurance company, request time off work, and deal with car repairs or replacement. However, it’s crucial to put your health first. We recommend being evaluated by a medical professional on the day of the crash, or the following day if your injuries happen to be less serious. The longer you allow your injuries to go untreated, the more difficult it will be to recover from them.
Most insurance companies also require claimants to receive a medical evaluation within 72 hours of an accident. If you wait too long to seek medical attention, the insurance company could argue that your injuries did not stem from the accident in question, but a separate accident. In other words, the longer you put off seeing a doctor, the more likely it is that your claim may be denied.
Insurance companies are for-profit businesses, and their chief goal is keeping their shareholders happy, not providing coverage to their policyholders. Whether you are filing a claim with your insurance provider or another motorist’s insurance company, claims adjusters will use any excuse to minimize your settlement or reject your claim altogether. If you seek medical attention and get a diagnosis right away, the insurance company will find it difficult to argue that the car crash didn’t cause your injuries.
Injuries That Might Not Immediately Show Symptoms
If you’ve been involved in a car accident, you might be in shock and feel dazed. As a result of the trauma you suffered, you might not recognize specific injuries you sustained right away. Even if you are clear-headed, some types of injuries don’t show symptoms right away, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), including hematomas and brain hemorrhages
- Whiplash
- Back strains and sprains
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal injuries including a ruptured liver, ruptured spleen, and ruptured kidneys
- Torn tendons, ligaments, and muscles
Some of these injuries can be life-threatening if left untreated, so you should visit a doctor as soon as possible after the crash. A physician should be able to detect any injuries you aren’t yet aware of before complications arise.
Contact a Duluth Car Accident Lawyer
Were you injured in a car accident in Duluth that was caused by another person’s negligence? Contact a Duluth car accident attorney at Brauns Law Accident and Injury Lawyers, PC today to discuss your case. We have the knowledge and experience to help you pursue the financial relief you need to pay for medical expenses, lost wages, and non-financial losses you suffered. Call us today at 404-418-8244 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation.
