Victims of car accidents must see a doctor or seek emergency care immediately after a car accident. They should do this even if they don’t notice signs of serious injury. Depending on the kind of car insurance policy you have, emergency room visits may be covered by personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. Because your health and wellbeing are at stake, you must prioritize your safety after an auto accident and work with a reliable jefferson city mo car accident attorney.
Reasons for Seeking Medical Care Right Away
The following are the reasons seeking medical care immediately after a car accident is important:
- Some symptoms don’t appear right away. You may sustain injuries after a car accident but some symptoms may only appear later. For example, concussions are a type of traumatic brain injury that can develop even if you had a sudden head jerk. Symptoms of this condition include balance issues, nausea, and clouded thinking. Also, whiplash may have symptoms that appear days or weeks after an accident. If you don’t get immediate medical care for your injuries, your symptoms may become worse. Also, the initial symptoms of your injury can be masked by adrenaline pumping through your body. Your body releases this fight-or-flight hormone in dangerous, exciting, or stressful situations like a car accident.
- It’s a requirement for car insurance claims. Getting yourself checked by a doctor after a car accident will protect your health and legal rights to compensation from your insurance company. Emergency room visits and medical services for accident injuries are usually covered by PIP. Getting reimbursement through PIP may require you to seek medical attention within a certain amount of time. How much time you have to get medical attention that is eligible for coverage depends on the requirements of your insurance policy and the car accident laws in your state.
Why Hire an Attorney After a Car Accident?
After you get the necessary medical care, your car insurance will require you to file a car accident claim. This lets you seek compensation for car-related damage and medical bill reimbursement. But, insurance companies may wrongfully deny or underpay your claim. If you have a problem getting coverage from your insurance company for emergency medical care, an experienced car accident attorney may be able to help. Your attorney can go through your insurance policy with you and explain your legal rights to coverage. They can help you file an injury claim or dispute a claim that has been wrongfully denied or undervalued by your insurance company.