The importance of seeing a doctor after a car accident in San Antonio
Car accidents are unfortunate events that can impact every aspect of people’s lives, including their health. When a car accident occurs, you may be wondering: “should I go to the doctor even if I feel fine and I’m not injured?”
The answer is a resounding yes. Here we’ll share why it’s so important to see a doctor after a car accident.
How to take care of your health after a car accident
Your health is paramount and not seeing a doctor is one of the biggest mistakes people make after a car accident. You might avoid seeing one for several reasons, such as:
- You don’t think your injuries are serious enough.
- You don’t have medical insurance and therefore want to avoid going to the emergency room.
- You’re not able to pay for medical care, medicines, etc.
However, no matter the reason, failure to receive medical attention after a car accident can result in serious injuries, such as:
- Internal bleeding
- Traumatic injuries
- Skull fractures
- Brain disorders
- Neck injuries
- Chest injuries, etc.
For example, as a result of a concussion, victims may experience dizziness and headaches. Even if you don’t appear to have any serious injuries, it’s recommended to get a medical checkup immediately. This will help confirm your state of health and prevent further injury.
Common car accident injuries in San Antonio
About 4.8 million car accidents occurred in the United States in 2020. According to a National Safety Council report, the number of traffic fatalities reported was 42,060.
In Texas, there were 12,107 accidents resulting in serious injuries in 2020. According to this data, one person is injured in a crash every 2 minutes and 7 seconds, and one person is killed in a crash every 2 hours and 15 minutes. In San Antonio alone, there were 513 accidents resulting in serious injuries.
Some of the most common car and truck accident injuries sustained by drivers in San Antonio, Texas include:
- Head and brain injuries
- Neck and back injuries
- Chest and rib injuries
- Pelvic and abdominal injuries
- Leg and knee injuries
- Foot and ankle injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Emotional and psychological problems
- Contusions and lacerations
- Broken bones
It’s common for people to develop health problems days, weeks or even months after a car accident. It may take some time for you to realize where the pain is coming from. That’s why it’s essential to consult a doctor immediately after the accident and not let time pass.
Medical reports and accident compensation claims
Did you know that you may be able to recover compensation for your injuries after being involved in a car accident caused by somebody else’s negligence?
After a visit to the doctor and reporting all of your injuries, it’s important to carefully follow the instructions that your health care professional gave you.
Not only is it essential for your health, but it will also demonstrate to the judge(s) that you’re complying with treatment. If not, the insurance company’s lawyers will likely point out that you’re acting “in a manner inconsistent with medical recommendations,” which may put your claim at risk.
The reality is that recovering full compensation from the at-fault party’s insurance company requires extensive documentation of your injuries. You must have all the necessary medical records to prove that you did indeed suffer an injury as a result of the accident.
Why are medical reports important in a car accident case?
Medical records are written records that explain the diagnosis and treatment of an injury or illness. They include dates of treatment, doctor’s appointments and details about your injury. Other information contained in medical records include:
- The outcome (projected result) of a treatment procedure.
- A breakdown of all treatment costs.
- An accurate analysis of your treatment.
- An assessment of your current medical condition.
- Future treatment procedures with detailed descriptions to estimate expected medical costs.
These are some of the most common types of medical records used in car accident cases:
- Ambulance/paramedic records
- Hospital visit records
- Emergency room records
- Diagnostic test records, such as CT scans, MRIs and X-rays
- Records of follow-up appointments
- Acupuncture treatment records (if applicable)
- Physical therapy records and notes
- Independent medical evaluation (IME) reports
- Other records that may apply to your particular injury
Medical records are critical evidence in claims for car accidents. That’s why you should seek medical attention immediately after the accident, whether you have visible injuries or not.
Most importantly, you must follow your physician’s instructions exactly, participate in all treatments, and provide your healthcare specialist with all details regarding the pain of your injury throughout the entire process.
How to file for car accident compensation in San Antonio
If you or a loved one suffered serious injuries in a car accident in the San Antonio area, hiring a car accident attorney will give you the best chance of recovering any compensation owed to you under Texas law.
At George Salinas Injury Lawyers, we’ll help you build your claim, negotiate a settlement and get you the maximum car accident compensation benefits possible. We’ve recovered over $500 million in damages for our car accident clients. The expenses associated with an accident can be high, so you won’t pay us unless we win your case.
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