One of the most important steps you should take after being involved in an accident is to get medical care as soon as possible. We cannot stress enough how critical it is for you to do this right away.
Even if you feel fine, we recommend that you still seek medical treatment in the case that something undetectable on the surface has occurred, like a concussion or another internal injury.
We have all heard the stories about people who feel fine immediately following a traumatic incident, only to wake up the next day with excruciating back pain, or worse—to realize that they have a severe head injury or internal bleeding that went unnoticed at the scene of the accident. When your body goes through an unexpected accident or physical trauma, the release of adrenaline and other hormones can mask medical problems. Your body’s response to intense stress triggers the release of these naturally occurring hormones, which protect the body by temporarily relieving and blocking pain receptors.
The safest thing you can do is to seek medical attention as soon as possible to ensure that your healthy. As an added advantage, if something is wrong and you do need medical treatment, the simple fact that you immediately got medical treatment will help you enormously if you need to file a personal injury claim.
Don’t Miss Treatment Dates, It Could Cost You
If your medical provider determines you have been injured, be sure to receive the proper treatment and continue the treatment as recommended by your doctor. Never refuse or delay medical treatment. If you need to miss an appointment, call and reschedule right away. Not only is following through with your treatment vital to your health and recovery, the treatment will also provide documentation and verify the extent of your injuries. Insurance adjusters will use any gaps in your treatment against you to justify paying you less money than you deserve!
Once you are safe and able to do so, contact your personal injury attorney to discuss your options. If your personal injury attorney determines you have a case, your medical records and treatment will become essential evidence in your claim. A good personal injury attorney will help collect all your medical records and bills, along with any other evidence in the case, and begin the tough negotiating process with the insurance company.
Insurance Companies Don’t Want You to Get An Attorney
Insurance companies want to pay you as little as possible for your injuries. People who try to negotiate a settlement by themselves, without an attorney, often end up getting much less than they deserve. You are doing insurance companies a favor by not having an attorney.
If you are unsure whether you should hire a personal injury attorney, remember that it does not cost money to discuss your case with a personal injury attorney. Your personal injury attorney will be able to tell you whether it is worth negotiating a settlement or taking the case to court.
For more than 75 years, Holzman & Associates, LLC has obtained substantial verdicts and settlements for injury victims throughout Maryland. Ask around about us! If you believe you are entitled to compensation, contact us at 410-539-4222 for your free consultation.
Recommended Next Reads:
Have You Been Injured While Riding in an Uber or Lyft?
6 Steps for Choosing the Best Personal Injury Attorney for You
7 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Personal Injury Attorney
