Many drivers want to file a car accident claim after a collision to seek damages for their medical expenses, pain, suffering, and vehicle damage. In some cases, you may sustain injuries that you decide to handle on your own, without the help of a doctor. Whether due to a lack of insurance or the assumption that your injuries aren’t serious enough, this decision can negatively impact a claim for damages.
While nothing legally stops you from filing a claim without medical records, it does reduce your chances of securing damages for your losses. A car accident lawyer can give you more information about the kinds of evidence that will support your case.
Why Go to the Doctor After a Car Accident?
Some drivers avoid going to the doctor after a car accident because they worry about expensive medical bills. However, visiting a medical facility will provide proof that your injuries occurred due to the accident, and sufficient evidence will help to secure compensation that will reduce or eliminate these costs.
Furthermore, going to the doctor allows a medical professional to:
- Detail the full extent of your injuries
- Establish that you were in a car accident
- Record the expenses associated with your current and future treatment
If you do not have official documentation supporting your accident and injuries, it can be more difficult to secure funds to cover your losses. It may also be difficult to collect pain and suffering damages, as these are often tied to the complications of accident-related injuries.
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Should You Tell Your Doctor You Were in a Car Accident?
Yes, if you go to a medical facility after a wreck, you should inform the practitioners there that your injuries came from a car accident. The doctors will record the causes of your injuries, providing evidence that will support your car accident claim.
What Injuries Require a Trip to the Doctor After an Accident?
Car accidents can result in many different injuries. Many people experience:
- Broken bones, fractures, and dislocations
- Cuts, burns, and soft tissue injuries
- Injuries to internal organs
- Injuries to the head, neck, and back
You may want to go to the doctor for any injury that requires more than basic first aid. Trying to treat a serious cut or a concussion at home, for example, can prevent you from seeking damages to cover the effects of these injuries.
See a Doctor Even If you don’t Feel Hurt
In addition, you may want to visit a doctor even if you’re uncertain that you’re injured. Some injuries may take anywhere from hours to weeks to present symptoms. Getting evaluated soon after the accident can prevent the costly and dangerous complications of an unseen injury.
How Lon do You Have to Go to the Hospital After a Car Accident?
While you can technically go to a hospital at any time after your collision, lawyers generally recommend that you seek medical care as quickly as possible. Getting help right away ties your injuries to the accident, making it harder for insurance agents to claim they came from something else.
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Does a Car Accident Claim Cover Your Medical Costs?
While you can file a car accident case without seeing a doctor, it can make your legal case more challenging. Filing a claim often allows you to seek damages to cover the expenses associated with your medical treatment.
The driver who caused your accident may have to cover your:
- Emergency medical care and ambulance ride
- Time spent in a hospital during your treatment
- Medical tests, assessments, and treatments
- Physical therapy and medications
A car accident lawyer can review the losses covered by a claim with you. In many cases, you can secure additional damages, including funds to address your lost wages, pain, suffering, and vehicle repairs.
What Information do You Need to File a Car Accident Claim?
You can file a car accident claim with the insurance company after a collision. The more evidence provided with your claim, the stronger your case will be. Many drivers work with lawyers to collect this information before they file.
Your lawyer may provide documentation from doctors, notes from your employer to show when you were off work, and the police report from your accident. Furthermore, lawyers often interview witnesses and even work with car accident specialists.
Work with a Lawyer to File a Car Accident Claim
You can technically file a claim without visiting a healthcare professional, but it makes it more difficult to collect damages. Review all the steps to settling your case with a car accident lawyer.
You can learn more during a free consultation with a member of our team at Morris Bart, LLC. Call or fill out our online contact form to get started.
Questions?Call 800-537-8185
to find a Morris Bart office near you.
