Why You Should Seek Medical Attention After a Car Accident
Being involved in a car accident can be a traumatic experience. It is of great importance to act quickly and seek medical attention as soon as possible after the accident to protect your health and have proper documentation of your injuries.
Unfortunately, many accident victims put off seeking medical attention after the crash. Doing so can endanger your health and reduce your chances of obtaining fair compensation. If you have been involved in a car accident in Detroit or other parts of Michigan, contact Detroit Legal Group PLLC for experienced legal guidance.
Our car accident attorneys can help you handle your personal injury claim after the crash and fight for the compensation to which you are entitled. With an office in Detroit, we represent accident victims throughout the state of Michigan, including in Warren, Dearborn, and Southfield.
Common Injuries After a Car Crash
Here are some of the most common types of injuries after a car accident:
Whiplash. Whiplash is one of the most common injuries in car accidents and is caused by an abrupt back-and-forth movement of the head and neck.
Traumatic brain injury (TBI). Head trauma can cause significant damage to brain tissue resulting in TBIs which range from mild concussions to severe damage leading to permanent disabilities or death. The Centers for Disease Control estimates there are over 220,000 TBI-related hospitalizations in the U.S. annually.
Spinal cord injury. Spinal cord injuries are another common type of injury after a car accident and can occur when there is direct trauma to the spine causing bone fragments to tear into nerve tissue within the cord itself.
Broken bones. An impact during a car accident can cause severe damage to your body’s bones. Broken bones are commonly reported in auto accidents and may include fractures of the arms or legs, ribs, vertebrae in the spine, or even skull fractures.
Bruising. Bruises are another common injury caused by an auto accident. Trauma from seatbelts or airbags can cause bruising on your chest, arms, abdomen, or shoulders.
Wrist & hand injuries. Hands and wrists can easily be injured during a car crash due to the force of impact or gripping the steering wheel too tightly when bracing oneself against sudden movement.
Knee injuries. Knee injuries are also quite common after an auto collision due to knee contact with hard surfaces such as dashboards or door frames inside your vehicle. Knee injuries may range from minor abrasions all the way up to ruptured ligaments, which could lead to painful swelling requiring surgery for recovery.
Burns. Burns are another type of injury that may occur after a car crash. Burns must always be taken seriously, whether it’s from hot parts within your engine compartment being exposed or chemicals spilling onto you during a collision.
While some injuries are more obvious than others, many car accident victims suffer from hidden injuries that can have long-term health implications if not treated properly.
Reasons to Seek Immediate Medical Attention
Let’s discuss why it is so critical to seek immediate medical attention after a car accident.
Protecting Your Health
Your health should be your number one priority after an accident, and seeking immediate medical care ensures that any potential health issues are addressed quickly and accurately. Even if your injuries don’t seem severe at first, many accidents cause internal damage that isn’t visible on the surface.
Documentation of Injuries
When you seek medical attention, you will receive an official document of your injuries which will include details such as the type of injury, the severity of the injury, and how long it will take for you to recover from it. This document is essential when filing an insurance claim. It is vital that you document any injuries immediately following an accident in order to secure any compensation that may be owed to you.
Protecting Your Right to Compensation
In addition to protecting your health, seeking immediate medical help can help you protect your right to fair compensation for any pain or suffering caused by the accident. If there is evidence that you waited too long before seeking treatment, this will weaken your case when it comes time for making an insurance claim or filing a lawsuit against the at-fault party’s insurance company.
Get Compassionate Legal Assistance
If you have been involved in a car accident, the importance of seeking immediate medical attention cannot be overstated. Our car accident attorneys at Detroit Legal Group PLLC can help you understand the legal process for pursuing compensation and represent your interests during settlement negotiations. Reach out today to schedule a free case review.