Not all injuries you sustain in a car accident will be readily apparent. Ideally, you should seek medical attention immediately after a car accident to ensure you do not have any hidden injuries. If you don’t feel any pain until days after the car accident, this does not mean your injuries are minor. You should seek medical attention immediately to determine your injuries’ severity and extent. In fact, some injuries might worsen if left undiagnosed. They also do not reveal symptoms until the shock of an accident wears off.
For example, according to Merck Manual, soft tissue injuries caused by car accidents might not be felt immediately. Soft tissue injuries might also not become painful or display any other symptoms for several days. Seek immediate medical attention if pain or other symptoms start to show up days or weeks after a collision.
When you seek medical care, let your health care team know about your accident. Doing so may help them accurately diagnose your symptoms and injuries. Once they diagnose your injuries, they can create a treatment plan for you to help you restore your physical health.
Even if you did not immediately report an injury at the accident scene, that does not necessarily mean you cannot receive compensation for injuries that develop later. A personal injury lawyer can help you build your case and pursue compensation for your damages.
Seek Medical Care After a Car Accident
Some accident victims sustain severe injuries and require immediate emergency medical care. Other injured parties might be able to walk away from the accident independently. However, even if you are able to walk away from an accident, you should still see a healthcare professional. It ensures you do not have hidden or internal injuries.
If you sought medical attention after an accident, the cost of the medical care you received might be eligible for financial compensation from the at-fault driver. Those expenses might include:
- Ambulance fees
- Emergency room care
- Hospital admissions
- Tests and exams
- Physical therapy
- Rehabilitation
- Assistive devices
- Prescription medications
Whether your car accident injuries require short- or long-term treatment plans, the negligent driver who caused the accident must cover the expenses. You can request copies of your medical records and bills and give them to your lawyer to use as evidence for your case. They may help substantiate your treatment costs when assigning a value to the injury portion of your claim or lawsuit.
Your Car Accident May Generate Important Paperwork
A car accident can generate a wide variety of paperwork. When you are ready to seek compensation from the at-fault driver, your legal team may request copies of your:
- Medical records, including admission and discharge paperwork, written prognosis, and referrals
- Car accident report, including any available photos, witness statements, and notes from the investigating police officer
- Proof of income, including tax records, financial statements, direct deposit forms, and check stubs
Your lawyer might also request vehicle repair estimates and any additional paperwork that might help accurately value your financial expenses and losses.
Additional Damages You Might Be Entitled to Receive
According to the California Civil Code (CIV) §1431.2, you might also be able to recover the costs of any income loss you experience in the aftermath of the accident. Additional recoverable damages might include property damage or loss, pain and suffering, and mental and emotional trauma. Your legal team may help you determine the types of damages you are entitled to receive and their potential value.
The time you have to file a personal injury lawsuit for these damages is limited by the statute of limitations. In Los Angeles, the California Code of Civil Procedure (CCP) §335.1 generally requires you to file your personal injury lawsuit no later than two years from the date of the accident.
Failure to file your lawsuit on time might mean you cannot collect the financial compensation you might be entitled to receive. Your legal team might be able to help ensure your case complies with the state’s timeline and that your lawsuit is not in jeopardy of dismissal.
Seek Medical and Legal Care After a Car Accident
Sometimes the physical impact of a car accident might not become evident for days afterward. If you or someone you love suffered injuries in a car accident but did not seek medical care at the time of the collision, you might be able to have your medical expenses taken care of by the at-fault driver.
Our client care team may help you define your options for getting financial compensation for your medical care even if you don’t feel any pain until days after your car accident. Explore your avenues for monetary recovery with a personal injury team member at the Jacoby & Meyers Law Offices by calling (866) 559-7223 today.