Car accident injuries are not always obvious. Sometimes, they take several hours or even days to become symptomatic. This is even true of some life-altering injuries. For this reason, it is important to understand when you should consider seeing a doctor following a collision.
If you suffered injuries in a crash, speaking to a car accident lawyer about your legal options is also a good idea. Contacting a lawyer as soon as your injuries allow could help you recover compensation to pay your medical bills, cover lost income, and more.
- You Should Go to the Hospital if You Notice These Four Signs
- Building a Claim or Car Accident Lawsuit Based on Your Injuries
- Discuss Your Next Steps With Our Car Accident Lawyers for Free Today
You Should Go to the Hospital if You Notice These Four Signs
You should seek medical attention after a collision if:
You Have Pain or Other Indications of an Injury
While most crashes leave vehicle occupants sore and stiff, these symptoms could take several hours or days to develop. If you have any signs of injuries immediately following a crash, you should seek a doctor’s opinion. You could experience:
- Pain
- Swelling
- Headaches
- Stiffness or loss of range of motion
- Difficulty bearing weight on a leg or arm
- Discomfort with certain movements
- Loss of any physical function
Your symptoms’ severity could indicate whether you need to go to a trauma center, the nearest emergency department, a walk-in clinic, or your family doctor. Even if you do not have any significant injuries, the doctor will rule out major injuries that could appear later, including internal bleeding, traumatic brain injuries, fractures, soft-tissue injuries, and more.
The Paramedics Recommend You See a Doctor
First responders come to most accident scenes. These professionals often include paramedics or others trained in emergency medical aid. If they are available at the crash scene, you should allow them to check you over to rule out any major symptoms. They will treat any lacerations and evaluate you for other potential injuries.
If the paramedics recommend that you see a doctor, take their advice. They have the necessary training to determine when symptoms might indicate a more serious problem. If they want you to go to the hospital in an ambulance, do so. If not, they may recommend seeing your own doctor or going to the emergency room on your own as soon as possible.
Your Soreness Does Not Go Away in a Few Days
It is not unusual to be sore for several days following a collision. However, nagging soreness and stiffness that does not improve over several days could indicate an injury. If you develop serious bruising or pain that does not lessen, consider seeing a doctor or going to the hospital immediately.
The sooner you receive a diagnosis, the sooner you can receive treatment. If you continue to have issues despite resting and taking over-the-counter pain medications, it is time to talk to a medical care professional to rule out anything serious.
You Have Previous Injuries, Conditions, or Limitations
If you have concerns about your health because of previous injuries or ongoing medical conditions, it is a good idea to see your doctor or visit an emergency department as soon as possible. This allows them to ensure you did not suffer further injuries or to treat and document your injuries if you did.
Some medical conditions make you more likely to suffer additional harm. For instance, if you suffered whiplash, you’re more likely to suffer whiplash a second time. The same applies to spinal cord trauma, traumatic brain injuries, and other life-altering conditions.
For a free legal consultation, call 516-932-0400
Building a Claim or Car Accident Lawsuit Based on Your Injuries
Some car accident claimants avoid getting medical attention because they’re concerned about cost. However, victims have options for seeking compensation to cover these costs and other related damages. Through a claim or lawsuit, compensable losses in your case may comprise:
- Medical care costs
- Future and ongoing care and support expenses
- Income losses
- Reduced ability to work and earn
- Miscellaneous expenses related to the crash and your injuries
- Pain and suffering
- Other non-economic damages, including disability, scarring, and disfigurement
Getting prompt medical attention is paramount in these cases, though. To have a successful claim, you must show your injuries occurred because of the collision. Supporting medical documentation can include x-rays, ultrasounds, and your doctor’s testimony.
Insurance Could Cover Certain Losses of Yours After a Car Accident
In New York State every auto insurance policy includes personal injury protection (PIP) insurance, commonly known as No-Fault coverage. Your no-fault policy will likely cover your basic damages, including medical expenses related to injuries caused by the car accident and a portion of lost earnings caused by disability due to the car accident. . Still, you could have the option of filing a fault-based claim or lawsuit. Working with a car accident lawyer is a good way to understand your case and if this opportunity is available.
When you work with a lawyer to handle your case, you can expect them to:
- Keep you updated on your case
- Identify all potentially liable parties
- Communicate with all insurance companies and other parties for you
- Gather evidence to show fault and liability
- Determine a value range for your case
Most auto accident law firms provide free initial case evaluations and handle these claims with no upfront fees. You have nothing to lose by discussing your options with our legal team today.
Discuss Your Next Steps With Our Car Accident Lawyers for Free Today
Friedman & Simon, L.L.P. serves crash victims in the greater NYC area. If you suffered serious injuries in a collision caused by a careless or reckless driver on Long Island or in New York City, we are here to ensure you understand your options and handle your claim. We have a multilingual staff that will assist you in Spanish, Greek, Bengali, Tamil, or Kannada as necessary.
Contact us now for your free initial case consultation.
Call or text 516-932-0400 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form