A trip to the hospital can save your life after a serious
car accident, but getting emergency care can be expensive and time-consuming. So, is
it worth it to visit the ER if you’ve been involved in a more minor
collision? Or should you just schedule an appointment with your own physician
at a later date?

While visiting the emergency room or an urgent care center is not required
to bring a personal injury claim, in most cases, it’s better to
bite the bullet and seek a comprehensive medical assessment
immediately after your accident – no matter how “minor” your injuries
may seem. As personal injury attorneys serving Washington DC, we’ve
seen many cases impacted by the fact that a victim chose to skip an emergency
room or urgent care center visit because they hoped their injuries were
minor. When a victim waits to obtain medical treatment in the hope that
the pain will go away, insurers invariably claim that the victim either
was not seriously injured in the accident and their injuries were not severe.

Here are the main reasons you may want to seek prompt medical attention
at a hospital:

  • You may be numb to the pain of your injuries. After a traumatic crash, your adrenaline can prevent you from feeling the
    full extent of your pain. This is because our bodies prepare for the “fight
    or flight” response by blocking crucial pain receptors. Injuries
    that seem minor at the moment will likely seem more significant later.
  • Your injuries could still be developing. Some injuries – such as
    whiplash, head trauma, and soft tissue damage – may start out with minor
    symptoms and continue to get much worse with time. Untreated head wounds
    can lead to prolonged pain and suffering, unexpected complications, ,
    and other unpleasant side effects, so often the sooner you can be assessed
    and placed on a proper treatment plan the better.
  • You can’t always see the damage on the surface. Because some medical issues can only be detected by advanced equipment
    and a trained eye, it’s important for your own safety to get checked
    out by a professional. From internal bleeding to injuries to organs, you
    could be at risk of major complications after even a minor accident.
  • Delaying a visit can impact your personal injury claim. Although a personal injury lawsuit may be the last thing on your mind after
    an accident, it’s important to consider the possibility of bringing
    a claim. Like it or not, the best evidence you will have of the nature
    and extent of your injuries is the medical records related to the accident.

Committed Counsel for Your Car Accident Claim

At Simeone & Miller, LLP, our trial-tested car accident lawyers are
ready to help you seek the compensation you need after a crash. Since
we opened our doors in 2002, we’ve secured nearly $100 million in
settlements and verdicts for our Washington DC clients, helping them to
rebuild and recover after a tragic accident.

Whether you visited the hospital or not after your recent car accident,
we can help you decide on the next steps – and create the best possible
case strategy if you do pursue a claim. Because we work on contingency
fees, you won’t have to pay unless we win your case!