Feeling Okay Today Doesn’t Mean You’ll Feel Okay Tomorrow
Many Colorado Springs citizens involved in a “fender bender” believe that there is no need to see a doctor after a minor car accident. After all, this might not seem like a high priority when your adrenaline is pumping and your focus is on all of the other things you need to do right after a collision: calling the police, contacting your insurance company, collecting driver and witness information, and figuring out how to get around with a car that may be out of commission for a bit. (Of course, you should also include consulting an experienced Colorado Springs car accident lawyer as soon as practicable on your post-accident list.)
But if you leave getting medical attention out of those tasks, you could be making a major mistake. Even if you don’t think you are injured, you could be hurting yourself in the long run, as well as any chance you may have at obtaining compensation for your injuries, if you fail to see a doctor after a minor car accident.
There are two primary reasons you need to get medical attention immediately after you’ve been in a Colorado car accident:
1. Some Injuries Don’t Make Themselves Known Immediately
Often, Colorado Springs residents who don’t see a doctor after a minor car accident discover days, weeks, or even months later that they actually sustained an injury in the car crash. Even if they do think they were hurt, they may shrug it off as minor only to find out later that they now face a lifetime of pain and problems due to the injuries sustained.
For example, some brain injuries can be notoriously difficult to detect. You may experience head trauma in a car crash, but symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, and confusion may not develop until further down the road. Similarly, even after a low-impact rear-end accident, the pain and discomfort associated with whiplash and neck injuries may not appear for days after the crash. What may appear to be minor soreness or stiffness can worsen and be a sign of a more severe condition. Having a physician evaluate and diagnose your condition quickly can help you determine what steps you should take and what medical care and treatment you need to help you recover.
Additionally, the other driver’s car insurance company will make you a lowball settlement offer and try to get you to settle your claim right away. This is well before you understand the full toll the accident will take on your life, including the extent and costs of necessary medical treatment and rehabilitation. Without medical care and advice, you may settle for far less than you deserve to compensate you for the true medical costs and other losses arising out of the injuries you’ve sustained.
2. If You Don’t See a Doctor After a Minor Car Accident, You Could Seriously Hurt Your Personal Injury Case in Colorado
Should you decide to file a car accident lawsuit in Colorado against the driver or other individuals who caused your injuries, you will need to prove the extent of your injuries and damages. Seeing a doctor for an examination as soon as possible after your accident will provide the most complete and accurate record of your injuries. Memories may fade, but medical records do not.
You should also keep close track of all medical and related expenses starting from the time of the crash. This is critical information and evidence you can present to your lawyers, insurers, or any others involved in your car accident lawsuit.
As you can see, seeking medical attention and treatment after even a minor car accident is extremely important. But so too is contacting an experienced Colorado Springs car accident lawyer as soon as possible. Strict time limits apply to car accident injury lawsuits in Colorado. If you don’t file your case within three years of the date of the car accident, you could lose all rights you have to seek compensation for your injuries and losses.
By hiring an accident injury lawyer as soon as you can after your auto accident, your attorney can immediately begin to evaluate your case, collect and preserve critical evidence, and help you obtain the maximum amount of compensation available for your losses.
Injured In a “Minor” Car Accident? Speak With a Colorado Springs Car Accident Attorney Today
Even a “minor” car accident can cause major problems, from severe injuries with enormous medical bills to weeks without a paycheck. If a car accident with injuries has upended your life, make sure you have an experienced Colorado Springs car accident attorney on your side. At King & Beaty, we can help you through this challenging time and get you the compensation you need to recover and move forward with your life.
