The convenience of having a car is great when you have somewhere to be, but that doesn’t mean it’s always safe. Driving represents one of the most dangerous things the average person does every day. According to the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) there were over 380,000 total crashes in the state of Georgia in 2021. In the Atlanta area alone, there were over 16,000 reported auto accident injuries.
It’s not always easy to tell how serious your injuries are after a car crash. This is why it’s so important to seek medical attention immediately after getting into a wreck. Seeing a doctor can help ease your pain and discomfort while also providing peace of mind that could help minimize trauma and calm your nerves.
Medical records and police reports are vital documents during car accident injury claim negotiations. The doctor’s recommended treatments and prescribed rehabilitation will likely represent the bulk of your injury claim.
Failing to see a doctor can make it difficult or even impossible to successfully file an injury claim. The insurance company may question the validity or source of your alleged injuries if there’s no medical records showing you sought care.
What Are the Most Common Injuries After a Car Accident?
It doesn’t matter if you were in a multi-car accident or a minor collision, you can sustain injuries in any type of accident. Even low speed rear-end accidents can potentially result in whiplash.
While not all injuries are immediately apparent after a car accident, common injuries can be most effectively treated when they are diagnosed early. Doing so helps prevent injuries from worsening and reduces the risk of suffering debilitating, long-term repercussions.
Seek medical care right away if you experience symptoms related to:
- Whiplash
- Back, neck and knee injuries
- Concussion
- Broken bones Spinal cord injuries
- Herniated discs
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Paralysis
- Organ damage
Why Should You See a Doctor After a Car Accident?
- Medical records are required when filing a personal injury claim. A doctor can provide a proper diagnosis and treatment plan to address any injuries you sustained in the accident. The insurance company will likely base your eventual claim payment on the cost of your medical care, lost wages and your pain and suffering. The entire purpose of a personal injury claim is to make you physically, mentally and financially whole by providing the money you need for medical treatment and recovery.
- Your doctor’s professional prognosis can be used to justify your lost wages. A doctor’s opinion that you can’t safely work has much more validity than your own personal opinion as far as the insurance company (and likely your employer) is concerned.
- Medical visits comply with your insurance policy. You run the risk of missing out on some benefits if you don’t see a doctor soon after your accident. For example, if you have medical payment coverage on your insurance, you might be required to see a doctor in a specific amount of time following your accident to utilize the coverage.
Seeking medical attention right after getting into a car crash is vital to protecting your health and well-being. Taking proper care of your body after an accident is just as important as filing your insurance claim. The best way to bolster your auto accident injury case is to show your injuries were serious and you are doing everything in your power to recover and put your pain and suffering behind you.
Did You Get in a Car Accident in Atlanta?
If you’ve been in a car or truck accident, one of the personal injury attorneys at the Dressie Law Firm can help you navigate the insurance claim process and get you the compensation you deserve.
Contact our Atlanta office at (678) 735-3734 for a free case evaluation.