Why You Should Seek Medical Care after an Accident

Often, victims of accidents want to rest at home without seeking medical care right away. Although it is understandable when someone is shaken-up after a car crash or slip-and-fall accident, the shock they may experience can mask pain and symptoms of serious injuries. After an accident, personal injury lawyers recommend that you go to the emergency room or see a doctor as soon as possible, even if you don’t believe you are seriously hurt. Getting checked-out by a health care provider helps to ensure that you get the treatment you need and can support a personal injury claim should there be a need to file one. 

Types Of Injuries That May Be Sustained in an Accident

Depending on the circumstances, symptoms of serious injury may be masked for days, weeks, or even months. Human stress hormones are released when you experience trauma, and can dull immediate pain. While you may believe that a bump on the head is just irritating, a concussion or traumatic brain injury can have serious physical, emotional, and cognitive short- and long-term repercussions. Through examination and diagnostic testing, these types of injuries can be spotted and treated immediately  which can reduce their impact on your health and may even save your life. 

Neck injuries, spinal damage, and back injuries can also pose a serious risk to your health, mobility, and well-being if they are not treated in a timely manner. Organ damage and internal bleeding may go completely unnoticed by an injured victim which can lead to serious complications or death. Even injuries such as sprained or torn muscles and bone fractures can be overlooked. Again, some symptoms of these injuries may not manifest until days or weeks after an accident, so it is better to be safe than sorry. 

What If I Don’t Seek Medical Care After an Accident?

Failing to seek medical care for your injuries can have grave consequences. A serious injury, chronic pain, or disability can interfere with your ability to earn a living and take care of your family. In addition, your quality of life may suffer, and you may face piles of medical bills that can put you in significant debt. If someone else was responsible for your injuries, they should be held accountable so you can get the care you need while protecting your financial stability. 

Seeking Medical Treatment after a Car Crash Provides Vital Evidence

Even the best car accident lawyers may not be able to recover compensation for an injured victim without evidence such as medical records and testimony of medical professionals. Insurance companies will pounce on this lack of evidence and use it as an excuse to deny your claim or minimize the severity of your injuries.  Whether you are hurt in a slip-and-fall, car crash, or another type of accident, take photos of your injuries, and get checked-out by a doctor. Do not speak to an insurance adjuster or accept a settlement without talking to an attorney first. It typically won’t cost you anything to have a personal injury lawyer evaluate your case and advise you on whether you have a viable claim. 

Contact a personal injury attorney to find out more about accident claims and the importance of seeking medical care for your injuries. If you are concerned about your rights and your family’s financial future, an estate attorney can help you create a plan tailored to meet your needs. 

This blog was originally posted on https://www.pa4law.com/why-you-should-seek-medical-care-after-an-accident/

Read More

Personal Injury Settlements Can Be Impacted Due To Covid-19

 

During the coronavirus pandemic, many people suffered injuries due to auto accidents, slip and fall accidents, and other ordinary accidents. If you were one of these accident victims, you may bring a personal injury claim against the responsible party. However, the COVID-19 closure of many offices and businesses, and other issues, may affect your case, according to top rated personal injury lawyers.

Please be aware that the court system has been shut down for the most part during the outbreak and is now slowly reopening. A personal injury case will take more time than usual to move through the courts. While it is true that most personal injury cases will be settled out of court, most cases undergo at least one court hearing before a satisfactory settlement is reached. You may need extra patience while awaiting such a court date.

Millions of Americans are feeling the financial strain caused by the pandemic lockdown. Perhaps you feel that you urgently need compensation for the injury you suffered in an accident, most particularly if you are unemployed. Although accepting a settlement quickly from an insurer would be tempting, avoid making this mistake. An early settlement offer is not the final offer, and it is in your best interest to wait. Consult with your attorney if you are under financial pressure to settle.

Should your case proceed to trial, you might encounter stronger resistance on the part of the insurer. The coronavirus pandemic has affected every business, and the insurance industry is no exception. Insurers will tend toward minimizing settlements and are likely to delay or use other tactics to keep their settlement costs down. Be prepared to proceed further into litigation than you might have expected previous to the pandemic.

If you are suing a business that is not currently insured, you are likely to face considerable challenges in collecting a settlement. An uninsured business may not be able to pay a settlement and may even file for bankruptcy. If that would happen, you would wait a long time to receive a settlement or you may never receive the full settlement amount.

If you have been in a car accident, it is possible that the other driver has not kept up with insurance premiums due to unemployment or the recession. The other driver may be uninsured, which complicates your situation as the injured party, according to car accident lawyers. You may need to pursue benefits through your own uninsured/underinsured motorist policy with your insurer. If this should be the case, remember that your own insurer is now an “adverse party” and not “on your side.” Consult with your attorney about the best strategies and practices.

It is important that you receive medical treatment for your injuries, and during the pandemic you may have felt reluctant to visit a doctor or hospital. You must seek medical treatment as recommended by your doctors. Documenting that you have received care is extremely important to your personal injury case. Of course, always follow CDC guidelines on wearing face masks, social distancing, and so on.

Even if you are actively seeking medical treatment for your injuries, you may find there are delays in receiving medical appointments because health care providers are overwhelmed with coronavirus patients. This could mean you should postpone filing or settling your personal injury case. Your attorney will guide you in these important decisions.

Personal injury cases are more complicated in the era of COVID-19. Don’t delay making an appointment with an experienced personal injury attorney to discuss your case and the critical next steps.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.pa4law.com/personal-injury-settlements-can-be-impacted-due-to-covid-19/

Read More