If you are injured in a car accident, the very first thing you should do is make sure that you and others are safe and have not been injured. However, if you determine that you are not injured, does that mean that you do not need to get medical care? No, it does not. Keep reading to learn why you should always get medical care immediately after a car accident, and then contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 if you have been injured in a car accident and require a free legal consultation.
To Make Sure You Are Safe
First and foremost, you want to make sure that you are truly okay. All too often, we hear from people who felt they had a slightly stiff neck, only to discover they had a serious case of whiplash. Others have a mild headache that gets worse, only to discover that they have suffered a traumatic brain injury. It is important that a medical doctor assess you after a car accident, even if it is a minor car accident.
Because Adrenaline Can Mask Symptoms
It is very common for a person to refuse medical care because they feel 100% fine and do not think that they need medical care. What you should know about this situation is that adrenaline is likely pumping through their veins – and adrenaline can be very powerful.
There are stories every year of a person who pulled someone out of a burning car or similarly terrifying situation, only to later find that they had two broken legs. They were only able to use their legs due to adrenaline pumping through them. In short, do not trust how your body feels, as it has ways of attempting to reduce your pain after a serious injury.
To Build a Strong Personal Injury Case
If you end up having to sue the at-fault party or make a claim against their insurance company, you will need medical proof of your injuries. If you wait weeks, days, or, in some cases, even hours after your accident to get medical care, the other side could argue that you were not as seriously injured as you claim you are because if you had been, you would have seen the doctor immediately.
Likewise, they could argue that your injury came from something else and not the accident. For example, if you sprained your wrist in a car accident but did not get medical care for a week, then the other side could say there is no way to prove that the sprained wrist occurred due to the car accident. This is a much harder argument to make if you get care right away.
Once you have received medical care, it is time to contact a personal injury attorney to find out how you can hold the at-fault party accountable. Contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker now at 800-333-0000 to do so.
