In the aftermath of a car wreck, many things are happening at once, and it can be overwhelming. Your car could be totaled, someone might be hurt, your life is turned upside down, and the other driver might blame you for the accident. During these horrible circumstances, you might need immediate medical attention. However, do you always need to go to the doctor after a car accident occurs?
What Actions Should I Take at the Accident Scene?
When you are involved in a car accident, you should:
- Call 911
- Get a police report
- Exchange insurance and personal information with other drivers
- Seek out eyewitnesses who can corroborate your story
- Go to the hospital
These simple steps ensures that you have taken the appropriate actions after an accident. At the same time, you may feel like your accident was not very severe. You may not even want to call the police because the accident is nothing more than a fender bender. However, tou must always get a police report so that there is an official record of the accident, and you should also go to the doctor, just in case.
Going to the Doctor
You should go to the hospital if you call an ambulance to the scene. Any accident that involves a significant impact or major damage to your vehicle should include a visit to the hospital. If you do not want to go to the hospital, pay for the ambulance ride, or pay for emergency admission, you should go to your family doctor that same day or the next day.
Why go to the Doctor?
You should go to the doctor to establish evidence of your medical care. This evidence will show that you sought treatment soon after the accident, and your doctor can raise questions about any injuries you may have sustained. If you do not go to the doctor or the hospital, it looks very suspicious when you are have uncared for injuries weeks after an accident.
How Long Should You Wait to go to the Doctor?
Generally, insurance companies believe that you should visit a doctor within a reasonable amount of time. Insurance carriers typically say that a reasonable amount of time is the first 72 hours after the accident. If you cannot get an appointment with your family doctor, you should consider going to an urgent care clinic. You might also want to go to the chiropractor. You simply need to show that you were treated for your injuries.
What if Injuries Surface Later?
You cannot wait for your injuries to surface later. If you have visited your doctor, you can ask them to check for any signs of concussions or lingering injuries. If your injuries surface later, you have already shown that you sought medical attention.
Keep in mind that your negligence will be used by the insurance company or the other driver to show that you were not hurt in the accident. If a doctor does not diagnose your injuries, misdiagnosis or failure to diagnosis cannot be used against you; however, a subsequent report can show that the injuries have taken quite a long time to develop.
DC Car Accident Lawyers at the Law Offices of Duane O. King Assist Injured Car Accident Victims
If you have been injured in a car accident, you should reach out to one of our DC car accident lawyers at the Law Offices of Duane O. King for assistance. Call us at 202-331-1963 or contact us online for a free consultation. Located in Washington D.C., we serve injured clients throughout Prince George’s County, including Laurel, Beltsville, Adelphi, College Park, Greenbelt, Mitchellville, Woodmore, Greater Upper Marlboro, Springdale, Largo, Bowie, Capitol Heights, District Heights, Forestville, Suitland, and Seat Pleasant, Clinton, Oxon Hill, Temple Hills, and Fort Washington.
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