Medical attention is crucial after an accident. But some people believe this is only necessary after sustaining severe injuries. So, what if you have minor injuries, such as minor cuts, or invisible ones like internal bleeding? How soon should you see a doctor?
Here is what you should know about this matter:
Get medical attention immediately
If you are involved in an accident, you should get medical help immediately, whether your injuries are severe or minor or you believe you are not injured. This is because adrenaline can mask pain – it won’t take the pain away but distract you from feeling it. You may be seriously injured internally and not feel pain. A medical examination will help identify injuries sooner.
It’s widely recommended to see a doctor within 72 hours after an accident, but the sooner you go, the better. A condition may worsen if not treated earlier. You may potentially end up with chronic pain, long-term complications, a disability or secondary conditions.
Observe the timeframe of involved insurers
Insurance companies have a timeframe within which policyholders and claimants are required to seek medical help. The timeframe for most insurers is 72 hours. If you wait too long to get medical help, the other driver’s insurance company may argue that your injuries were not that severe. Accordingly, they may want to reduce your payout. Or they may state the accident didn’t cause your injuries. Hence, they should not compensate you.
Seeking medical attention immediately allows you to link your injuries to the accident and document their severity.
The costs of delaying getting medical help after an accident can be significant. You should see a doctor immediately and get legal guidance to understand your options.