After a car accident, some people are so happy to have survived, they are reluctant to admit they have been injured. Other people simply dislike being slowed down by an injury, so they tell themselves they will be okay without any medication or a doctor’s help.
No matter how tough you are, a car accident can cause damage to your body, even if you’re not immediately aware of it.
If you have been involved in a car accident, don’t assume you are uninjured, or that your injuries aren’t serious. Protect your rights by talking to a West Palm Beach car accident lawyer about your case.
Waiting to See a Doctor Can Hurt Your Case
From the moment your insurance company learns you have been in a car accident, it will begin working to minimize the value of your claim. Your insurer may also look for reasons to deny your claim completely.
When you wait to see a doctor after a car accident, the insurance company will likely pounce on this as evidence that you weren’t really hurt in the accident.
Depending on how much time has passed since your accident and when you finally seek medical treatment, the insurance company may even try to show that your injuries were caused by something other than the car accident.
When you see a doctor right away after an accident, your treatment records become valuable and important evidence for your personal injury case.
Having a medical expert document your injuries from the start is one of the most important things you can do in your case.
By documenting your injuries from the very beginning of your case, you can prove your injuries resulted from trauma sustained in the crash.
Find Out: how long you have to file a car accident lawsuit
Your Injuries Might Be Worse than You Think
Injuries aren’t always immediately obvious following a car accident. Certain types of injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries, don’t show symptoms until days or weeks after an accident.
Learn More About: traumatic brain injuries following a car accident
This is why it’s important to see a doctor right away, and to follow up with your doctor and any specialists as often as needed.
If you fail to follow your doctor’s instructions and recommendations, the insurance company may argue that you made your injuries worse by failing to comply with your doctor’s treatment plan.
The Benefits of Keeping a Pain Diary
If you have ever waited patiently for a doctor’s appointment, only to forget half of your symptoms and when they occurred as soon as your doctor asks how you’re feeling, you’re not the only one.
As the days go by, it’s sometimes difficult to remember every time you felt an ache or a symptom.
This is where keeping a pain diary or pain journal can be beneficial. By keeping track of your pain, your symptoms, and your medication on a daily basis, you are much less likely to forget symptoms and other important details about your injury and the recovery process.
Keeping a pain diary is also a good way to determine pain patterns and learn what works when it comes to managing your symptoms.
Rather than trying to remember when you experienced pain, you can simply show your doctor your journal. This can be a very helpful tool in your doctor’s treatment plan.
Questions after a Car Accident? Call a West Palm Beach Personal Injury Lawyer
If you have been injured in a car accident due to another person’s negligence, don’t hesitate to speak to a West Palm Beach car accident lawyer about your case.