A car accident can be a scary time, especially if you don’t realize you’re hurt immediately following the accident. Even if you think you are okay and that nothing is wrong, you should still seek medical attention to ensure you haven’t sustained any injuries you aren’t consciously aware of. Failing to do so, only to realize that you have injuries later, can be detrimental to your insurance claim and cost you an enormous amount of money if you can’t get compensated. These are things you should consider when faced with potential injuries from a crash.
Always See a Doctor Quickly After the Accident
A lot might be going on in the immediate aftermath of your crash, leaving you feeling like you have little time to go to the doctor. If nothing seems instantly wrong, it can’t hurt to wait, right?
Waiting is a huge mistake, even if you don’t think you’re injured. Insurance companies will look for proof of all personal injury claims you make later, including proof that the injuries were caused by the accident. If you wait too long, they could have reason to suspect you maintained your injuries elsewhere and not compensate you. Most companies consider 72 hours plenty of time to get checked by a physician, and you should abide by this if you want to get the most money out of your claim.
Wait for Later Injuries
Not all injuries are present in your first checkup. Some, like concussions and damage to the brain or soft tissue, may appear later. If this happens, continue to get checked by a doctor and get a copy of the report so you have a record of all the problems caused by the crash.
Research Your State’s Statute of Limitations
The statute of limitations, or amount of time you have to file a claim, varies by state. The average ranges from two to six years. You’ll have that much time to determine what all your injuries are and how much you should file a claim for. This timeframe allows you to wait for those later injuries to appear.
Understand Compulsory Medical Examinations
When you make a personal injury claim, the insurance company will want their own doctor to confirm your injuries. You are required to get this checkup, but you may want to schedule an appointment with your own physician to make sure the results of both match up.
Dealing with injuries after a car accident can be painful both physically and mentally. Discussing your situation with a lawyer, like an automobile accident law firm in Memphis, Tennessee, is sometimes the best way to decrease your stress and tackle your issues at the same time. Consider contacting one for a consultation to find the right path forward.
Thank you to the experts at Patterson Bray for their insight into car accidents and personal injury law.