Should You Go To a Hospital After a Car Crash?

Your life can change drastically after a car crash. Accidents can happen when you least expect them. One minute, you’re driving down the road on your way home or to work, and the next minute, another driver crashes into your vehicle! When this occurs, you need to do several things immediately: stop your vehicle (if it is able to move), check the occupants of your vehicle to ensure no one is seriously injured and call the police!

Alert the Authorities

Once members of your local police force arrive on the scene, they’ll take an accident report and statements from any witnesses. They will also offer to call an ambulance for you and your passengers. Even if you aren’t visibly injured, you should go to the hospital for an evaluation. Documentation of the medical evaluation is important to have as a part of your accident documentation, if you elect to file an accident claim. In fact, you may also have the option of heading to the hospital on your own, rather than by ambulance.

Seek Medical Attention Immediately

Seeking medical care after a car accident is essential, as it plays a pivotal role in safeguarding your well-being. Also, the facilitating of proper documentation for potential personal injury claims, and to address several vital concerns:

Immediate Injuries

Car accidents can result in a wide range of injuries, from minor cuts and bruises to more severe issues such as fractures, head trauma, or internal injuries. Seeking prompt medical care at the hospital emergency room is essential to ensure these immediate injuries are evaluated and properly treated. Medical attention can make a significant difference in the outcomes of these injuries, potentially preventing further complications and/or disabilities.

Hidden Injuries

Some car accident injuries, such as whiplash, soft tissue damage, or internal bleeding, may not manifest symptoms immediately after the collision. Medical professionals can employ diagnostic tests such as X-rays and CT scans to identify injuries that may not present symptoms right away. Addressing these injuries early is crucial so as to prevent them from progressing into more severe conditions.

Complication Prevention

Timely medical treatment can help prevent complications that may arise from untreated injuries. For instance, untreated fractures can lead to long-term mobility issues, chronic pain, or even infections if not properly managed by healthcare professionals. Addressing these issues promptly can improve the chances for a full recovery.

Legal Documentation

If you intend to file a personal injury claim you need to seek medical care. The medical records from your hospital visit serve as indispensable evidence. These records document the extent of your injuries, the treatment received, and medical costs incurred. They provide a clear record of your condition, which can be crucial in establishing liability and seeking compensation for your damages. As your personal injury lawyer, I will walk you step by step through the legal process to ensure you are properly compensated for your injuries, medical treatment, lost wages, and more!|

Medical Records

Hospitals maintain comprehensive medical records of your visit, including detailed diagnoses, treatment plans, prescribed medications, and healthcare provider notes. These records are pivotal for tracking your recovery progress and can be used as a reliable source of information for insurance claims and legal proceedings.

Insurance Claims

Reporting your car accident and seeking medical care promptly helps streamline the insurance claims process. Insurance companies often require documentation of medical treatment and expenses to process your claim efficiently. Without timely medical records, the insurance company may dispute your claims or delay the compensation process, potentially leaving you with significant medical bills.

Pain Management

Car accident injuries can cause significant pain and discomfort. Medical professionals can provide appropriate pain relief medications and recommend pain management strategies tailored to your specific condition. Effective pain management is not only crucial for your comfort but also for your overall well-being and recovery.

Prevent Delayed Symptoms

Some car accident injuries, like concussions or internal injuries, may produce delayed symptoms that can worsen over time if left untreated. A visit to the emergency room ensures that these conditions are identified and treated promptly, reducing the risk of long-term complications.

Infection Prevention

Open wounds or broken skin resulting from a car accident can increase the risk of infection. Hospital staff can clean and dress wounds properly, administer antibiotics if necessary, and provide guidance on wound care, thus minimizing the chances of infection and promoting optimal healing.

Monitoring and Follow-up

Depending on the severity of your injuries, hospital staff may recommend follow-up appointments and ongoing monitoring to track your recovery progress. These follow-up appointments ensure that any potential complications are identified early and addressed promptly, enhancing your chances for a complete and successful recovery. Having documentation of future medical needs is also critical when fighting for damages.

Emotional and Psychological Support

A car accident can be a traumatic experience that may have lasting emotional and psychological effects. Hospitals can offer initial psychological support and referrals to mental health professionals if you struggle to cope with the emotional aftermath of the accident, promoting your overall well-being. Ensuring your mental recovery is another factor that must be taken into account.

Rehabilitation Services

For individuals with severe injuries, hospitals can provide access to rehabilitation services such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. These services are essential for regaining lost functionality, improving mobility, and enhancing your overall quality of life during the recovery process.

Protection of Legal Rights

Seeking prompt medical care establishes a clear and documented timeline of events. It demonstrates that you took your health seriously after the car accident and sought professional evaluation and treatment. This proactive approach can be instrumental in protecting your legal rights and establishing the connection between the accident and your injuries in potential personal injury claims.

Medical Expenses

While not a direct reason to go to the hospital, it’s essential to document all medical expenses incurred as a result of the car accident. These expenses, including hospital bills, doctor’s fees, prescription medications, and rehabilitation costs, can be a significant component of your personal injury claim if someone else is liable for the accident. Proper documentation of these expenses ensures that you can seek compensation for the financial burden caused by the accident.

I have represented car accident victims in Cleveland for more than 40 years. Injuries from a car crash can leave victims with serious physical injuries and mental healthcare issues. Getting one’s life back to normal after a tragic accident can be very expensive, and I’m here to get you the help you need. Call me today, and I’ll Make Them Pay!®

Sudden Stop Injuries Can Be Dangerous

Why is it so important to head to the hospital after a car crash? The number one reason is that those sudden stop injuries can be very dangerous. Some of the most common car crash-related injuries include whiplash, internal bleeding, skull, and other bone fractures, and even concussions. While a good number of these injuries will be obvious on the scene, such as the bone fractures and lacerations, others may not be visible until hours or days later.

Obviously, if you have a visible injury that needs to be treated immediately, you should head straight to the hospital after the crash. Allow the police to call that ambulance for you. What about those non-visible injuries? What should you do? The answer is simple – get examined by a medical professional after any accident!

Injuries Can Show Up Later

Did you know that some injuries can appear hours or days after the crash? Things like bumps and bruises can take some time to appear, and while they may not be harmful, other injuries, including brain contusions and internal bleeding, can be. The sooner you get examined, the better.

You’ve more than likely heard stories about people getting bumped on the head and then refusing treatment because they feel “okay.” Then, hours later, their health is in serious jeopardy due to a brain injury. You don’t want to become one of these statistics, so head to the hospital right away, no matter how you feel after the accident has occurred.

Other Injuries Are Less Obvious

On top of the many possible physical injuries, are the psychological ones. Did you know that serious auto accidents can cause issues such as PTSD and anxiety? If you’ve ever been around someone with a fear of driving a car on the freeway, or being in traffic after an accident, then you’d understand these psychological effects can be debilitating. Although these issues may not be treatable at the emergency room, you can begin the process of documenting your post-accident health. This will help you as we build your case.

Documentation is a Must

Accident and injury documentation is very important. When you are examined by medical professionals after an accident, you are putting things in motion. The doctor who performs your evaluation will take notes about the car crash, including how and where your body was physically jostled during the incident. Their examination will document any physical bumps and bruises, as well as lacerations and chipped bones. If you have signs of a more serious injury, you will be able to receive treatment right away. However, if your injuries take some time to appear, the record of your accident will be in the system and you can connect your future treatment back to it. This provides you with a detailed record should you elect to seek damages from the driver who was at fault.

Documenting your injuries and the details of your medical treatment at a hospital immediately after a car accident is crucial for several reasons, particularly in a personal injury case:

Establishing a Clear Timeline

Hospital documentation creates a clear and official timeline of events, providing evidence that the injuries occurred as a direct result of the car accident. This chronological record is invaluable when demonstrating causation in a personal injury case.

Determining the Severity of Injuries

Hospital records accurately detail the extent and severity of your injuries. This will be essential for assessing the impact of the accident on your health and well-being, which is crucial in determining the damages in your case.

Verifying Medical Costs

Hospital records include detailed information about the medical costs incurred as a result of the accident. These records serve as concrete evidence of the financial burden you have faced due to the at-fault driver’s negligence.

Demonstrating At-Fault Driver’s Negligence

Hospital records will contain medical assessments and diagnoses that directly link your injuries to the accident and at-fault driver’s negligence. This evidence strengthens your case by showing not only the wrongdoing, but also the resulting harm and the at-fault driver’s responsibility for your injuries.

Providing Objective Evidence

Hospital documentation is considered objective and reliable evidence for your case. We will rely on these records to establish the veracity of your claims.

Surgical Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Records

If surgical intervention or intensive care is necessary due to the extent of your injuries, the records from the surgical ICU are particularly vital. They provide a detailed account of the medical procedures, recovery process, and the seriousness of your injuries.

Preventing Disputes

Thorough hospital documentation can help prevent disputes regarding the nature and extent of your injuries. Documentation ensures there is a clear and comprehensive record of your medical condition, leaving little room for disagreement or doubt.

Establishing Credibility

Accurate and timely hospital documentation enhances your credibility as a plaintiff. It shows that you took your injuries seriously, and sought immediate medical attention, reinforcing the seriousness of the at-fault driver’s negligence and its impact on your life.

Call Me

If you were hurt in an auto accident, you or a family member should call me as soon as possible. I will meet you at a time and place that is most coand discuss your case, or you can make an appointment to meet with me in my office. We’ll go over the accident, including all records (both from the police and the hospital), in order to document just how much your life has been affected by the accident. It’s my job to help you get the justice that you deserve. I’ll Make Them Pay!®