The Importance of Obtaining Medical Treatment After a Vehicle Accident
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), we had a slight decrease in traffic fatalities from 2013 to 2014. In 2013, 32,894 people lost their lives in traffic crashes; however, in 2014, only 32,65 people were killed in traffic accidents. This represents a 0.7percent decrease in vehicle-related fatalities. California’s decrease in traffic fatalities for the same time period was 1.1 percent (from 3,107 traffic deaths in 2013 to 3,074 traffic deaths in 2014).
Unfortunately, the news is not as good for traffic-related injuries. From 2013 to 2014, we saw a 1.1 percent increase in traffic-related injuries throughout the United States. In 2014, 2.34 million people were injured in traffic-related accidents.
If you are injured in a traffic crash, your first priority is your health. Of course, you do want to take steps to protect your legal right to recover compensation from the driver who caused the collision. However, you must take steps to ensure you receive the best medical treatment available to increase your chance of recovering fully from your injuries.
Seeking Medical Treatment After A Traffic Collision
Medical treatment is important after a traffic accident for two reasons.
Your Health
Obviously, the first and most important reason to seek medical treatment after a car crash is your health. Even if you do not believe you are seriously injured, you need to see your doctor as soon as possible. In some cases, you may have suffered an injury that does not present symptoms right away. Furthermore, those “aches and pains” you experience after a car accident and you assume will go away in a few days or weeks could be an indication of a more serious injury. Without medical treatment, these injuries could result in permanent disabilities or these injuries could become life-threatening.
Therefore, it is always in your best interest to be seen by a doctor after any traffic accident.
Your Accident Claim
In addition to your health, to claim damages for the accident, you must document your injuries. The sooner you see a physician, the sooner your injuries can be documented for your accident claim. In order to recover compensation from the other driver, you must prove two things. The driver caused the accident AND you suffered damages (i.e. physical injuries, emotional damages, and financial damages). The insurance company will require medical records documenting your allegations of physical injuries.
Do not ignore your doctor’s instructions! In addition to seeking medical treatment, do everything your doctor advices and never miss a doctor’s appointment. The insurance company for the other driver will do everything it can to delay and/or deny your claim. Missing doctor’s appointments, skipping physical therapy, and otherwise not following your doctor’s instructions gives the insurance company a good argument for denying your claim.
Call a Fresno Car Accident Attorney
If you have been injured in a Fresno, CA or Central California Valley car accident, call Torem & Associates at (888) 500-5000 to speak with an experienced Fresno personal injury attorney. You may also chat with a representative online or use our convenient online contact form to schedule a free consultation.
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