Should I See a Doctor After a Car Accident?

When you are involved in a car accident, you may feel like you have enough to deal with without making time to see a doctor. From getting your car repaired (or replaced) to dealing with the insurance companies—not to mention keeping up with your normal life—it is easy to feel like there isn’t enough time in the day.

But, seeing a doctor after a car accident is important for several reasons. Even if you feel fine, it is worth getting diagnosed so you know for certain whether or not everything is okay. Plus, not only is seeing a doctor important for your health, but it is also important for protecting your legal rights.

5 Reasons to See a Doctor After a Car Accident in Arkansas

So, why should you schedule a doctor’s appointment following a collision? Here are five reasons to see a doctor after a car accident in Arkansas:

1. Pain Can Be a Sign of Several Types of Injuries

If you are in pain after a car accident, you need to have the cause of your pain diagnosed. Pain can be a sign of several types of injuries in all parts of the body.

While bruising, swelling, and deformed joints are all visible signs of accident-related injuries, not all injuries have these physical effects. In other words, even if you can’t see an injury, this doesn’t mean that it is okay to ignore your pain. From concussions and whiplash to back, chest, and abdominal injuries, many types of injuries do not have visible symptoms. But, these can still be serious injuries that require prompt medical attention.

2. You Could Have Internal Injuries Even if You Feel Fine

Just as some injuries do not cause visible symptoms, not all injuries cause pain. As a result, it is entirely possible that you may have suffered an internal injury in your car accident even if you currently feel fine. When it comes to your health, it is always better to be safe than sorry, and it is well worth seeing a doctor no matter how you feel after a collision. At the very least, your doctor will give you a clean bill of health to go about your life as usual. If you do not receive a clean bill of health, then you can get the treatment you need before your injuries lead to unnecessary complications.

3. Prompt Treatment Can Be Critical for Mitigating Long-Term Effects

This brings us to our third reason to see a doctor after a car accident: If you have suffered a serious injury, obtaining prompt treatment could be critical for mitigating its long-term effects. Many types of traumatic injuries can worsen without prompt treatment; and, with others (i.e., certain types of bone fractures), delays in seeking treatment can limit the options you have available. Not only can unnecessary long-term complications negatively impact your day-to-day life; but, if the auto insurance companies can blame you for your own medical needs, they won’t cover your medical expenses.

4. You Will Need Medical Records that Document Your Injuries

There are several reasons why you might need medical records that document your injuries after a car accident. Along with proving your right to auto insurance coverage, other reasons why you might need to have medical documentation of your injuries include:

• Taking sick days or paid time off (PTO) at work
• Applying for FMLA leave
• Filing for workers’ compensation benefits (if your car accident was work-related)
• Filing for Social Security Disability (SSD) or other benefits
• Making sure you know what you need to do to care for your injuries

5. Seeing a Doctor is Important for Protecting Your Legal Rights

Finally, while seeing a doctor after a car accident is important for treatment and recovery purposes, it is also important for protecting your legal rights. If someone else was at fault in your car accident (i.e., the other driver), you may be entitled to financial compensation. Auto liability insurance is mandatory in Arkansas; so, if another driver is responsible for your injuries, his or her insurance policy should provide coverage. Obtaining auto insurance coverage requires evidence of both: (i) the cause of the accident; and, (ii) the financial costs and other losses you are entitled to recover.

Do You Have a Car Accident Claim? Contact Us for a Free Consultation

Were you injured in a car accident in Arkansas? If so, we encourage you to contact Oliver Law Firm right away. We know the tactics insurance companies use to reduce or deny claims and we are passionate about helping our clients recover the maximum compensation they deserve under the law.
Contact Oliver Law Firm today online or at 479-202-5200 for a FREE case evaluation. Our experienced car accident attorneys serve the wrongfully injured throughout the Natural State from our office in Rogers, AR.