WHY YOU SHOULD SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION AFTER A CAR ACCIDENT

After a car accident, your first instinct is to make sure you and your passengers are okay as well as the driver in the other car. But what most people don’t realize is that they may not be fully aware of the injuries they sustained. Dealing with the aftermath of an accident is never easy, but when it comes to getting medical attention, it’s extremely important to do this as soon as possible, even if you don’t think you’ve been seriously hurt. 

If you’d like help navigating an insurance settlement or pursuing a personal injury claim, contact me today to get started. At the Law Office of James A. Maniatis, I’m committed to focusing on the unique needs of your case and giving you the right information to make informed choices. I’m able to see clients from three different office locations in Shrewsbury, Southborough, and Webster, Massachusetts, but can also help those throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts including Westborough, Northborough, Grafton, Boylston, Millbury, Upton, Dudley, and Oxford.

COMMON INJURIES AFTER AN ACCIDENT

Although the type of injury you sustain will be specific to your situation, there are a few injuries that are frequently seen after a car accident. Perhaps the most common of these is whiplash. Whiplash occurs when your head and neck are jerked suddenly and move beyond their normal range of motion. Because most car accidents involve a crash (even if you’ve just been rear-ended), the resulting whiplash can cause the muscles of your neck to become strained. Many people may only feel a bit stiff after an accident, but more serious injuries can show up days after the incident. 

It’s also common to see soft tissue injuries, back injuries, or lacerations from when a person’s body comes into contact with a part of the car or when an item that was in the car becomes a projectile upon impact. Injuries to the arms, wrists, knees, feet, and ankles are also frequently experienced. 

REASONS TO SEEK IMMEDIATE
MEDICAL ATTENTION

Ensures your own safety: Seeking medical care after an accident is the single most important thing you can do to ensure you’re taken care of. An injury from a car accident may not be immediately apparent, and your adrenaline may mask the pain. Symptoms can take days or weeks to manifest, and if you wait too long to get care, you may miss out on settlement money to cover your costs. Only a trained medical professional can adequately assess you. 

Helps with your insurance claim: You should contact your insurance company as soon as possible after an accident, and you’ll likely be in communication with the other driver’s insurance as well. When you start working with a claims adjuster, they’ll need documentation to support your claim, and part of this is an official medical diagnosis. This can be especially important if your doctor recommends follow-up treatment, so you can ensure your future costs are covered, too.

Reduces your risk of liability: If you’re dealing with another driver's insurance, know that they’re always looking for a way to speed up their claims process and reduce costs for their company. This isn’t to say all adjusters will be unfair, but you don’t want to give them any reason to disbelieve you. If you wait too long to see a doctor, this can sometimes be used against you to deny you compensation. 

FOLLOWING THROUGH
WITH THE TREATMENT PLAN

Because car accident injuries can cause lasting damage, for your own sake, it’s essential that you follow through with the treatment plan your doctor lays out for you, including visits to specialists or ongoing physical therapy. Your goal is to have your settlement cover all your expenses, not just an initial evaluation. Additionally, you may need to prove you’re getting the medical treatment the insurance company settled on or you could risk losing some of your compensation. 

GETTING THE EXPERIENCED
LEGAL GUIDANCE YOU NEED

If you’re looking for a personal injury attorney in Shrewsbury, Southborough, Webster, or anywhere throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, call the Law Office of James A. Maniatis today to schedule an appointment. You focus on recovering from your injuries, and I’ll handle pursuing the fair compensation owed to you.