You should always go to the hospital or see a doctor after a car accident. If you have severe injuries, you need emergency treatment to prevent them from getting worse or causing a potentially fatal outcome. Even if you feel fine, you might have hidden injuries that haven’t manifested and could create more complications. A doctor can make sure you don’t have internal bleeding or other injuries that you can’t see. Finally, if you’re lucky enough that your injuries are genuinely minor, you still need thorough medical documentation for an Illinois car accident claim.
At Bonifield & Rosenstengel, P.C., we’ve seen too many injured drivers and passengers derail their legal cases in the early stages because they didn’t seek medical treatment right away. Don’t let this happen to you. See a doctor immediately, then contact a car accident attorney to handle your legal case while you heal. Otherwise, you could find yourself in deep financial and medical trouble.
What Happens if You Don’t Go to the Hospital After a Wreck?
Not going to the hospital immediately after a car accident can severely impede your injury claim. Insurance companies may argue that your injuries aren’t serious or didn’t result from the crash if you delay treatment. It’s also harder to prove that the accident directly caused your condition without medical records from appointments near in time to the crash. An insurer might reduce your compensation or deny your claim without comprehensive records.
Delaying medical care also gives the defense leverage to claim that you made your injuries worse by not seeking immediate help. Seeing a doctor immediately creates documentation linking the accident to your injuries, which is critical for building a strong case.
What To Do When You Go to the Hospital or See a Doctor
Whether you go to the emergency room or see your personal doctor after a crash, what happens during your visit can significantly impact your legal claim. Here’s what to do:
- Describe the accident thoroughly: Explain when and how the crash happened so your medical records link your injuries to the collision.
- Report all your symptoms: You should mention any pain or other symptoms you notice, even minor aches or discomfort. Minor issues can develop into more severe conditions later, and you want a thorough record from the start of your case.
- Follow all medical advice: Adhering to your doctor’s treatment plans shows you’re taking your recovery seriously. This step also prevents insurers from arguing you worsened your injuries by not following your doctor’s instructions.
- Request detailed records: Ask for copies of your exam notes, test results, and diagnoses to support your injury claim. Give these records to your attorney.
- Be honest about pre-existing conditions: Disclosing prior injuries helps your doctor distinguish between old issues and new injuries resulting from the crash.
- Keep track of medical bills: Save receipts and statements to document your expenses for future reimbursement or settlement calculations.
- Schedule follow-up care promptly: Ongoing treatment helps demonstrate the severity of your injuries and creates a consistent medical record for your case.
What Medical Records You Need for a Car Accident Claim
A thorough medical record is the foundation of your car accident claim. Gather and save these documents for later use:
- Emergency room reports documenting your initial diagnosis and treatment immediately after the accident
- Doctor’s notes showing your ongoing symptoms and recommended treatments
- Imaging results to confirm your internal injuries, such as X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans
- Treatment records detailing physical therapy, surgeries, or other procedures you need or have undergone
- Prescriptions to track what medication you’re taking
- Billing statements to calculate your medical expenses
- Discharge summaries outlining recovery plans and long-term care needs
Whether you’ve already seen a doctor or not, Bonifield & Rosenstengel, P.C., can collect the evidence you need and take legal action within the required deadlines. We have decades of experience with these claims and know how to build persuasive cases. Call now or complete our contact form for a free consultation.