A report published by the National Safety Council reveals that more than four million people were injured in car accidents nationwide in 2020. Although the severity of a car accident-related injury is usually greater when drivers travel at high speeds, research has shown that vehicle occupants can even endure soft tissue injuries in collisions at speeds as slow as 2.5 miles per hour. With this in mind, seeking prompt medical attention after a car accident is extremely important for many different reasons.
Obtaining financial compensation for a car accident in Virginia requires evidence of the injuries and damages you sustained, usually in the form of medical records. This means that the strength of your lawsuit or insurance claim depends heavily on you seeing a doctor immediately after your accident. If you postpone medical attention, the insurer can use this as a reason to deny your claim.
Following a Virginia Beach car accident, you need to see a doctor as soon as possible, preferably on the same day. Immediate medical attention allows a physician to diagnose your injuries in a timely manner and administer potentially life-saving medical treatment. Additionally, going to a hospital emergency room will show the insurance carrier that you are taking your injuries seriously and that you did what you could to ensure you receive proper treatment before they worsened. Going directly to the hospital also helps prove that your injuries were caused by the car accident.
If you were injured in a car accident through no fault of your own, the Virginia Beach car accident lawyers at Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp can help. With over 70 combined years of experience handling car accident cases, we understand how to build a strong compensation claim. Call us today to schedule your free consultation.
What to Expect During Your Appointment
As scary as it might seem, you should never postpone or skip seeing a physician after a car accident. In many cases, car accident victims sustain invisible injuries that are not immediately apparent. The longer you wait to get medical treatment, these injuries can worsen and become much more difficult and expensive to treat.
Even if you think you escaped with just minor injuries, you should always see a medical professional for treatment and a formal diagnosis. When you arrive at the hospital or the doctor’s office, you can expect to discuss the information set out below:
Talk About the Details of Your Accident
Simply saying, “I was in an accident,” does not give your doctor enough information to evaluate you properly. Car accidents can lead to multiple types of injuries, many of which can be internal and have no immediate physical symptoms. To receive a proper diagnosis, you will need to discuss the details of the collision with the attending physician providing the healthcare provider with the speed of the vehicles and direction of impact will help in your treatment.
Going over the details of your accident will help your doctor identify the severity and location of your injuries and can help them prepare for any potential delayed symptoms that may occur.
Discuss How You Felt After the Accident
During a traumatic and unexpected event, like a car accident, your body produces adrenaline, which can stop you from realizing you have been injured until it has worn off. It is not uncommon for injured accident victims to only notice soreness, stiffness, pain, and swelling several hours or even days after the incident. Be sure to mention any symptoms you are aware of to your doctor no matter how inconsequential they may seem. If you develop new symptoms in the days following the crash, be sure to inform your doctor as soon as possible.
Talk About Your Medical History
Whether you go to the ER or your family GP, you will be asked questions about your medical history. While this conversation might seem irrelevant and somewhat intrusive, it is a crucial part of being correctly diagnosed and treated.
It is not uncommon for accidents to aggravate old injuries, surgeries, and illnesses, causing flare-ups that otherwise would not occur. Your medical history can also influence what treatments you receive for your new injuries. Other factors, such as your fitness level, age, and other personal information can also put you at risk for certain types of injuries.
Undergo Physical Exams and Diagnostic Tests
Once your doctor has all of the information they need, you will undergo numerous tests and examinations designed to evaluate your pain, physical condition, and injuries. Your physical exam will include the doctor examining you for bumps, bruising, swelling, and misalignments in the areas of your body where you are most likely to be injured. Your total-body alignment, reflexes, and cognitive ability may also be tested.
The doctor should ask you about any pain you feel, its severity, when you feel it, and if moving makes it worse. The last part of the exam typically includes medical imaging, such as MRIs, CT scans, or X-rays, which can help detect any injuries to nerves, soft tissues, and bones.
Provide a Complete Treatment Plan
Treatment plans commonly include things such as bed rest, prescription medications, and follow-up appointments with your doctor. If, however, your injuries are severe, you may need to see a specialist. If this is the case, your doctor will write you a referral with your diagnosis and recommended treatments in mind.
For example, if you have a traumatic brain injury or head trauma, you might be referred to a neurologist for additional testing and treatment. Shoulder pain, back pain, and injuries to the neck, such as whiplash, may earn you a referral to an orthopedist or a chiropractor.
Following your doctor’s treatment plan is extremely important. Doing so will not only play a major role in how fully you recover from your car accident injuries but it also shows the insurance company that you are taking the situation seriously and doing everything in your power to rebuild your health.
Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp
In the aftermath of a Virginia Beach car accident, working with an experienced personal injury lawyer can make a world of difference. They can ensure that you know and understand your rights, walk you through the legal process, and secure full and fair financial compensation for your injuries. They can also help you obtain copies of your medical records and negotiate with the insurer on your behalf. Although the legal aspect of a car accident is important, your health should come first. Don’t let concerns about the personal injury process or insurance claims prevent you from receiving the medical attention you need.
Maintain a detailed record of every treatment, expense, and medical visit associated with your injuries as this documentation will play a pivotal role in your car accident claim as well as assist your attorney in building a compelling case for compensation.
The Virginia Beach car accident lawyers at Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp have been helping injured victims seek compensation for their injuries and other losses arising from someone else’s negligence since 1985. One example of this is the $3.5 million wrongful death settlement we achieved for the family of a man who sustained fatal injuries when the car in which he was riding was hit by a tractor-trailer. If you have a potential claim you would like to discuss with our team of lawyers and find out what actions you need to take, you can schedule a free case review by calling us at (833) 997-1774 or by filling out our online contact form. Our offices are located in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Hampton, and Portsmouth.