At some point in our lives, most of us will be involved in a car accident. Thankfully, most of these are minor. We suffer a few bumps and bruises. The biggest bruise is usually to our ego. However, some accidents are a lot more serious. Even what appears to be a fender bender can land you in the hospital. This is why you always need to go to the hospital after an accident.
If you ask any car accident lawyer in Douglasville, they’ll tell you the same thing. You need to follow a few basic guidelines if you want to preserve your legal rights. That’s why you need to do the following after every car accident, regardless of how minor it may appear:
- Call the cops – You have to call the police no matter what. Even if the other driver asks you not to, you need to call 911. They’ll come out and do a thorough investigation of the accident scene. They’ll also check to see if any of the drivers are under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Go to the hospital – The police will arrange for an ambulance to take you to the hospital. Even if you don’t think you’re hurt, you need to go. There are a lot of injuries that won’t appear until later. And, if you have a traumatic brain injury or internal injuries, you won’t know until it’s too late. If left untreated, these injuries can prove fatal.
- Call an experienced Douglasville car accident lawyer – You have no idea what’s going to happen when you file your car insurance claim. They may deny it altogether. Or, they may offer you much less than you feel you deserve. Having an experienced injury lawyer by your side will increase your chances of getting the compensation you deserve.
Do I Need to Go to the Hospital After an Accident?
A lot of people feel okay after their car accident. Sure, they’re shaken up. Their adrenaline is pumping and they’re scared. They may also be frustrated. Even a minor accident can be very disruptive.
Depending on the situation, you’re probably going to want to resolve the accident and get on with your day. Maybe you were on your way to work. Or, perhaps you have to get to school to take an exam. You need to remember – these things will wait. Your boss or professor will understand if you’re late or absent because of a legitimate car accident.
The other thing is, you may feel absolutely fine after the crash. However, you really don’t know if you’re okay or not. You need to be checked out by a medical professional. At the hospital, they’ll conduct the required tests to see if you’ve been injured. Some of these include:
- X-Rays
- CT Scans
- MRI
- Ultrasounds
- Neurological Examination
- Physical Examination
You Can Just Go to the Hospital Days Later, Right?
A lot of accident victims think it’s okay to wait and go to the hospital a few days later. The problem is, if you do this, you jeopardize your accident claim. The longer you wait to get treatment, the harder it will be for your Douglasville accident lawyer to prove your case.
The defendant’s lawyer will argue that something other than the crash caused your injuries. Or, they’ll claim that your injuries were worse because you didn’t seek treatment right away. Don’t make your accident lawyer’s job any harder than it already is.
The other issue is, your attorney will need medical documentation to prove your injuries. If you don’t seek medical treatment, they’ll have no way to prove how bad your injuries were. This means they’ll have a hard time getting you damages.
The damages that your attorney will demand in your suit include:
- Medical bills and future medical bills
- Lost wages
- Lost future earnings
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disability
Contact an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer in Douglasville, Georgia
You should always go to the hospital after an accident. If you’re injured in any sort of car accident, you need to call a skilled car accident lawyer in Douglasville. They’ll review your case and give you an idea of what it may be worth. They can also answer any questions you may have.
Call our Douglasville law firm today and schedule your initial consultation. It’s absolutely free and you pay nothing until your case settles. The defendant will have a team of lawyers working for them and you should too. There’s just too much at stake to handle it alone.
