Are you wondering, After a car accident, should I go to the hospital? Well, yes is the general answer. Even if you feel fine after an accident, that doesn’t mean you’re not hurt. Seeking medical attention as soon as possible after a car accident may be crucial for your health and help ensure you receive all the compensation you deserve.
After a call to your doctor, call an experienced car accident attorney to help you with your accident claim. The Law Office of Pamela C. Bratcher has over 30 years of experience in protecting personal injury victims in Kentucky, and she can protect you after a car accident.
Why Should I Go to the Hospital After a Car Accident?
You may want to move on immediately after getting into a car wreck. However, don’t move on so fast that you neglect your health or forget about your right to compensation. Below are some reasons that answer the question: Why should you go to the hospital after a car accident?
Injuries Can Be Invisible at First
Some injuries, like broken bones and deep cuts, are immediately apparent. Others, like whiplash or internal injuries, might not show significant symptoms for days or even weeks. For example, whiplash can initially feel like a mild ache but later cause severe pain and limited movement. These injuries could worsen if you wait too long to see a doctor. It may be harder to prove the accident caused them.
You Need Healthcare Records for Your Case
If someone else caused your accident, you might have the right to recover damages from them or their insurance carrier. Damages could include compensation for the following:
- Medical bills,
- Lost wages,
- Pain and suffering, and
- Costs for repairing or replacing damaged property.
However, you will likely need healthcare records to prove your case for compensation. A doctor’s report connects your injuries to the crash. Without reports, an insurance company might deny your claim.
The Clock Is Ticking
In Kentucky, you have a limited time to file a car accident claim. For most personal injury cases, the statute of limitations is two years from the accident date. You might lose the right to seek compensation if you miss this deadline. Remember, injuries like whiplash or an internal injury might not appear immediately. If you delay treatment, the statute of limitations could run out before you even realize the extent of your injuries.
Signs You Should Go to the Hospital After a Car Accident
Visiting a doctor’s office, an urgent care facility, or the emergency room after an accident might be a great precaution, regardless of how you feel. However, if you need signs that you should go to the hospital after a car accident, the following could be good indicators:
- Fatigue,
- Dizziness,
- Dark stools,
- Blood in vomit,
- Confusion,
- Headaches,
- Nausea,
- Vision problems,
- Sensitivity to noise or light,
- Memory problems,
- Bruises,
- Anxiety,
- Irritability,
- Sadness,
- Sleep troubles,
- Unstable vital signs (like blood pressure fluctuations), and
- Tenderness and pain.
These signs could be evidence of more severe injuries like internal bleeding, head trauma, or whiplash. You may want to visit a medical provider even if you have none of the above-listed symptoms. Violent jerking of your body or striking hard surfaces can be the cause of many severe and hidden injuries.
How Long After a Car Accident Can You Go to the Hospital?
Typically, you want to go to the hospital immediately after an accident. This can ensure that all of your accident-related health needs are accounted for and covered. But if you have been in an accident and have not seen a doctor, you might still have time.
Remember that you typically have two years to file a car accident claim, and you could still visit a healthcare provider within that time. Also, Kentucky law sometimes allows accident victims to make claims within four years of an accident if they can prove there was no reason they should have known about their injuries within two years.
Contact Pamela Bratcher Today
Are you still wondering, After a car accident, should I go to the hospital? If so, contact the Law Office of Pamela C. Bratcher. We can provide the top-rated representation you need to receive all the care and compensation you deserve. Call us today or contact us online for a consultation.
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