Why You Should See A Doctor Right Away After A Personal Injury

When an accident causes personal injuries, you should see a doctor as quickly as possible. Whether you were hurt in a car accident, injured in a slip and fall incident, or were bitten by a dog, promptly seeking medical treatment can increase the likelihood of a successful outcome. A doctor can identify injuries that might not be immediately obvious. Obtaining medical treatment also provides documentation that can help establish the nature and extent of your injuries and prove they were caused by the accident and not some other factor.

Timely Medical Treatment Can Improve Patient Outcomes

When an accident causes personal injuries, your health and well-being should be your primary concern. The hours and days after an accident can be critical. Seeing a doctor immediately can make it easier to accurately diagnose and treat your injuries.

Obtaining medical care and treatment soon after an accident can increase the likelihood of a successful recovery. Quickly seeing a doctor could minimize the long-term effects of your injuries and prevent them from worsening. The medical literature makes clear that obtaining timely and consistent medical treatment improves patient outcomes in most traumatic injury cases.

Injuries Are Not Always Obvious

After an accident, the body releases adrenaline and endorphins that create the fight-or-flight response. This sudden release of chemicals generates higher levels of energy that can mask the pain associated with your injuries and lead you to believe you were not seriously hurt. Once the fight-or-flight response subsides, you might experience pain and severe pain at that.

Some injuries, like internal bleeding, traumatic brain injury, or soft tissue damage, may not be immediately apparent when you see a doctor. A doctor can examine you to diagnose your injuries and might prescribe a treatment plan to prevent them from worsening and minimize their long-term effect.

Even if you believe the accident was minor or you were not seriously injured, it is wise to see a doctor for treatment quickly after an accident.

Quickly Seeing a Doctor Can Help Prove the Cause of Your Injuries

Obtaining medical treatment soon after an accident can make it easier to prove the cause of your injuries. A doctor can examine you to diagnose the nature and extent of your injuries. He or she will document your condition and may prescribe a treatment plan. By quickly seeking medical attention, you help establish that your injuries were caused by the accident and not some other factor.

If you decide to proceed with a personal injury case, your lawyer can point to your medical records to help establish the nature and extent of your injuries and that they were caused by the accident. A complete and accurate medical record makes it more difficult for the insurance adjuster or defense attorney to claim your injuries were caused by something other than the accident. This is why when you see a doctor after your accident it’s important that is documented and timely.

Follow the Doctor’s Treatment Plan for Best Results

When you see a doctor after an accident, he or she will likely recommend a treatment plan. If your doctor prescribes a plan, do your best to follow it. Following the treatment plan will help protect your health and can increase the likelihood that your injuries will heal successfully. Your lawyer can use your treatment record to help prove that the accident caused your injuries and that the treatment you received was medically necessary.

McKinney Vos: Personal Injury Lawyers Serving Austin, Texas

Located in Austin, Texas, McKinney Vos is a personal injury law firm that proudly serves Central Texas. When an accident causes personal injuries, we can protect your legal rights and fight to maximize your financial compensation.

During your initial consultation, we will ask questions and listen as you explain how the accident happened, and describe the injuries you suffered. We will develop a plan and gather evidence to prove your case. Then we will negotiate with the insurance company to obtain fair compensation for your injuries. We can often negotiate a successful resolution without filing a lawsuit. But when the insurance company refuses to make a fair offer, we have the experience and resources to take your case to court to fight for the compensation you deserve.

We invite you to learn about our services and what to expect when you work with McKinney Vos. Contact us to schedule a free, no-commitment consultation to discuss your situation.