Yes, you should go to the hospital after a car accident if you have any signs of serious injury, such as broken bones, internal bleeding, head trauma, or worsening symptoms.
It’s important to seek medical attention after getting into an auto accident. Even if you aren’t experiencing a medical emergency, you should still go get a medical evaluation, either from your own doctor or a local urgent care center. The adrenaline your body produces after an accident can mask pain; protect your health by getting non-emergency medical treatment right away.
Once your physical condition has stabilized, your thoughts may naturally turn to “Who is going to pay for my medical bills?” Talk to an experienced Nashua, NH car accident lawyer about your legal options, including filing a claim for damages.
Why is it important to see a doctor after a car wreck?
Your health comes first, but many car accident victims neglect immediate post-accident care. Maybe you don’t feel seriously hurt, or perhaps you’re worried about the expense.
Car accidents are notorious for causing soft tissue injuries, including muscle tears, sprains and strains, internal organ damage, and mobility-limiting damage to joints. A doctor who knows you were just in an accident can look for specific signs of this damage, but often, symptoms of these injuries aren’t noticeable until hours or even days after, and by then, they may be harder to treat.
Immediate medical evaluation helps doctors identify injuries early and begin treatment before symptoms worsen.
When should you go to the emergency room after a car accident?
You should go to the emergency room after a car accident if you have signs of a serious injury. These can include severe pain, confusion, trouble breathing, heavy bleeding, or visible injuries like broken bones.
It’s also important to get emergency care if there’s any concern about internal injuries or a head injury. If first responders recommend going to the hospital, it’s usually best to follow their advice. An emergency room visit creates a clear medical record right after the crash and helps make sure injuries are treated as early as possible.
How do my hospital medical records affect my claim?
A large part of your eligibility to file a personal injury lawsuit rests on proving that the other driver caused you physical injury. Your post-accident medical records help connect the injuries you have to the accident. The at-fault driver’s insurance company should pay for your medical treatment, but if you don’t have records of seeing the doctor after the wreck, you may not be eligible for any medical damages.
Medical records from a post-crash ER visit, your urgent care visit, or going to see your primary care doctor help show that you were injured and that the crash caused those injuries.
The longer you wait to see a doctor after a crash, the easier it is for the insurance company to claim that your injuries were pre-existing conditions or caused by other factors besides the accident. Going to the hospital right from the accident scene may feel like you’re overreacting, but it also provides a strong link between the injuries you’re being seen for and the crash that happened a few minutes before.
Get medical care after a car accident and protect your claim
If you’ve been hurt in a car accident you didn’t cause, New Hampshire law allows injured drivers to seek compensation from the driver who caused the crash. This can include medical bills related to the accident, even if you were taken by ambulance to the emergency room, along with other losses such as lost wages and vehicle repairs.
The personal injury lawyers at Shaheen & Gordon understand how overwhelming an accident can be. We can guide you through the post-accident process, from explaining your rights to pursuing a claim. Contact us online or call us at (800) 451-1002 to request a free personal injury consultation.
