Should You See a Doctor After a Car Accident?

After a car accident, it is common that we’re left with many unanswered questions about the next steps, such as one that seems simple: Should you see a doctor after the car accident?

The answer is yes and here’s why.

How Soon After Should You See a Doctor?

You should attempt to see a doctor directly after your car accident. Prompt medical care can assist the doctors in diagnosing any injuries as a result of the collision.

If you are unable to go to the doctor right away, attempt to seek medical assistance as soon as possible, ideally the same day as the accident. Most insurance companies consider 72 hours to be a reasonable timeframe after an accident to seek medical care. Some insurance companies may not find your injury to be as serious if medical attention is not sought timely.

Identify Your Injuries

A medical professional will assist you in identifying any unknown injuries It is essential that you see a doctor if you notice any of the following symptoms:

• Dizziness
• Bleeding
• Swelling
• Neck and/or Back Pain
• Headaches
• Memory Loss
• Numbness or Tingling
• Loss of Feeling in Any Body Part

This is a non-exhaustive list of potential injuries that you may notice as a result of your accident.

Symptoms of Delayed Injuries

In some cases, the injury does not appear until long after the accident occurred, for example concussions may slowly occur before it is noticeable. In other cases, you may have too much adrenaline to realize you are injured. Therefore, it is important to not tell the police or insurance carriers that you have no injuries at first and instead wait for a medical professional to clear you of any injuries.

Documentation

It is important to document any injuries that may have occurred. Documentation will be necessary should you pursue legal action, such as:

• Date of injury
• Location
• Copy of police report
• Date of medical service, including the name of the provider
• Copy of medical records
• Photographs of any injuries/damage

Please note, this list is non exhaustive. Legal counsel can provide clear advice on necessary documentation and assist in gathering it should you pursue legal action.

Minor Car Accidents Can Result in Injury

Many people believe that a minor accident does not result in severe injuries. This is not true. Even an accident that seems to be minor, such as a fender bender can result in lifelong injuries to your body. It is quite common that minor accidents mask injuries that may grow worse over time. To avoid prolonged injuries, visiting a doctor right away is vital.

Improve a Potential Legal Claim

If the other party may be at fault, you may find yourself negotiating with another insurance company to receive assistance with your claim. Reporting your injuries in a timely manner increases the strength of your potential legal claim, because the longer you may wait to see a doctor the more likely the other insurance company might argue that the injury was caused by something other than the accident.

Seek Legal Advice

An experienced personal injury attorney may be able to assist you in benefitting your case. Hiring an attorney can help in identifying the liable party, handling communication with the insurance carriers, and gathering evidence in support of your claim.

Conclusion

In conclusion, car accidents can have lifelong consequences to your health, and it is important to prioritize yourself and your health.

Briglia Hundley has extensive experience representing individuals in court aggressively and effectively to obtain the best results possible.

This blog post is intended to overview the nature of car accidents in Virginia. Individuals who seek help with a personal injury claim should contact Briglia Hundley®, P.C., at 703-883-0880.

The information in this blog post may not reflect the current law in your jurisdiction. No information in this blog post should be interpreted as legal advice and the blog post is not intended to be a substitute for legal counsel.

About Us

Briglia Hundley® was founded in 1993 and practices throughout the mid-Atlantic region. Our practice features attorneys listed as “Legal Elite” by Virginia Business magazine, named to Super Lawyers, and listed in Best Lawyers.

We are a forward-thinking law firm that relies upon our experienced and energetic attorneys to meet the legal needs of our clients reliably and responsibly in Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia.

Contact Briglia Hundley®

Tysons Corner Office
1921 Gallows Road, Suite 750
Tysons Corner, Virginia 22182

Telephone: 703.883.0880
Fax: 703.833.0899