When you are sick, you likely will go to the doctor to get the right diagnosis and treatment plan so you can feel better. The same should be true if you are in an accident and sustain injuries. Following an accident, many people think that feeling sore, stiff, or disoriented is “normal” and to be expected. In reality, these can be signs that you have sustained an injury that could worsen over time without the right treatment. In addition, failing to see a doctor and receive medical treatment can have a negative impact on your ability to recover compensation.
The Severity of Your Injuries May Not Be Apparent
When you are involved in an accident, shock and adrenaline can make it difficult to recognize just how seriously you are hurt. In addition, there are injuries like traumatic brain injuries and internal injuries that may not become fully symptomatic for hours or even days after the injury is sustained.
When you go to the doctor, he or she will conduct a thorough examination of your health and may order x-rays, MRIs, or other diagnostic tests in order to ensure that your injuries are properly diagnosed. This will allow you to start treatment as soon as possible, both making your recovery faster and ensuring that the injuries you sustained do not get worse or cause any complications.
The Insurance Company Loves it When Victims Do Not Seek Treatment
Another reason that it’s critical to seek medical treatment after an accident is that doing so protects your legal rights. Most personal injury cases are resolved by settling with the at-fault party’s insurance company, and insurance companies are known for trying to use “gaps in treatment” or lack of documentation as a way to minimize or even deny claims. Without medical records, it’s difficult to establish just how serious your injuries were, allowing insurance companies to introduce evidence of their own minimizing your pain, suffering, and other losses.
For this reason, it’s vitally important to seek medical treatment after any accident. Furthermore, you should actively participate in your treatment. This means attending all follow-up appointments, filling your prescriptions (and taking your meds), participating in physical therapy, and following your doctor’s orders.
Seeking Medical Treatment During the Pandemic
In light of the current public health crisis, it’s important to note that you should not rush to the emergency department unless it’s absolutely necessary. Normally, it would be advisable to be overly cautious and seek more treatment than less, but under the circumstances, going to the doctor’s office or hospital might put you at risk. For this reason, during this time, you should call ahead to see what the best course of action might be to receive treatment. If it is an emergency situation, call 911, and they should be able to advise you.
Contact Our Fargo Personal Injury Lawyers for Assistance
If you sustain an injury, your first order of business should be to seek the treatment you need. Then, you should not wait to discuss your legal options and next steps with an experienced personal injury attorney in Fargo. Contact one of our experienced personal injury attorneys, Tatum O’Brien, Tim O’Keeffe, or Sara Monson by email, or call O’Keeffe O’Brien Lyson Attorneys at 701-235-8000 or toll-free 877-235-8002. Case evaluations are always free.
