The aftermath of a car accident may be overwhelming, with so many urgent and unexpected concerns emerging at once. However, one of the most essential concerns you shouldn’t ignore is seeking medical attention. How long after a car accident do you have to go to the hospital?
Unfortunately, some people even think they don’t need to go to the hospital after a car accident. They may feel perfectly fine or may think that their injuries aren’t that bad. But it’s always best to err on the side of caution and get checked out by a medical professional as soon as possible after an accident.
Seeking medical attention after a car accident is a time-sensitive issue. Seeing a physician immediately after an accident is not only good for your health but will also help to establish a stronger personal injury claim. When you wait to see a doctor, the insurance company may argue that your injuries are not as severe as you claim or that they are unrelated to the accident.
So, how long do you have to go to seek medical attention after a car accident? Read on to find out everything you need to know.
How Long Do You Have to Seek Medical Attention After a Car Accident?
By law, there is no rule governing how long you have to seek medical attention after a car accident. However, it is always in your best interest to seek medical help as soon as possible.
The most important thing to remember is that your health should be your top priority after an accident. Don’t let anything else get in the way of getting the care you need.
So, whether you think you have been hurt in the accident or not, it is always best to go to the hospital or see your doctor right away.
It is also good to document everything related to your car accident and injuries, including when you first sought medical attention. This will help to support your personal injury claim later on.
From a legal perspective, if you or your loved one has been involved in a car accident, you need to seek medical help as soon as possible as a way to begin building evidence that links your injuries to the accident.
Often, people don’t realize how hurt they are until days or even weeks after a car accident. This is why it is always best to get checked out right away, even if you are convinced that you are perfectly fine.
Some injuries, such as whiplash, may not present symptoms until days after an accident. So, if you wait to see a doctor, the insurance company may argue that your injuries are unrelated to the accident.
When Should I See a Doctor After a Car Accident?
Ideally, you should see a doctor if you have been involved in any kind of accident- whether minor or severe.
If your own perception of the severity of injuries you might have suffered is not enough to lead you to a hospital, the cold, hard process that insurance companies use to determine compensation awards after an accident should.
What will likely happen is that the insurance company will hire a lawyer or an insurance adjuster to visit you at home, in the hospital, or wherever you are recovering from your injuries. This person’s job is to ask you questions about how the accident happened and document everything related to your injuries.
One crucial piece of evidence that could increase your odds of recovering maximum compensation is whether you sought medical attention as soon as possible. Most insurance companies expect you to seek medical attention within 72hours of the accident.
So, if you can’t access your primary physician within 72hours, you should try other alternatives before it is too late. One popular option is to visit an urgent care center where you can be seen by a medical professional right away.
If you wait too long to see a doctor, the insurance company may argue that your injuries are not severe or that they are unrelated to the accident.
What If My Accident Injuries Don’t Show Up Right Away?
It is not uncommon for accident injuries to take days or even weeks to present themselves. This is especially true for injuries like whiplash, which often don’t show symptoms until days after an accident.
However, this doesn’t mean that you should fail to seek medical attention right away. It is always best to get checked out by a doctor as soon as possible after an accident.
A doctor will assess your overall health and look for any injuries- even those that are not immediately apparent. They will also document your injuries and treatment in your medical records.
These records will later be used as evidence to support your personal injury claim. So, if you wait too long to see a doctor, you may have a hard time convincing the court that your injuries are related to the accident.
What If I Don’t Have Health Insurance?
One of the main reasons people don’t seek medical attention after an accident is because they don’t have health insurance. However, this should not stop you from getting the care you need.
There are a few options available to those who don’t have health insurance. One is to visit a free or sliding-scale clinic in your area. These clinics provide medical care to those who cannot afford it.
The primary objective is to ensure that you get the medical attention you need as soon as possible after an accident. Once your health has stabilized, you can worry about how to pay for your medical bills.
Conclusion
Car accident injuries can be very serious, even if they don’t seem like it at first. If you’ve been in a car crash, it’s essential to seek medical help as soon as possible, whether or not you think you’re injured.
If you don’t have health insurance, options are still available. Contact an attorney who can help guide you through the process of seeking medical treatment and getting the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
