If you sustain injuries in a car crash, then you probably know you should go to a doctor for an evaluation. That does not mean you will.
People avoid going to a hospital after a wreck for various reasons. Some worry they cannot afford it. Others fear they will lose their job if they do not get straight to work or if their boss finds out they’ve crashed.
Another reason people do not get a medical checkup after a crash is they do not believe they need one. They feel fine and, as far as they can see, have no serious injuries.
A medical checkup could save your life
Some injuries, including ones that could kill you if not discovered soon enough, do not make themselves known until some time after the crash. Internal bleeding and traumatic brain injuries are two such examples. Even if you believe you are uninjured, allowing a medical professional to examine you can make sure.
A medical report is crucial if you wish to claim
Many injuries will need treatment or require time off work to recover. To claim compensation for those costs, you will need proof of their existence and a qualified opinion on their prognosis. The medical report can provide that, but only if you get that checkup. The sooner you do it after the crash, the more authoritative it will be. Otherwise, an insurer might claim your injuries happened elsewhere to devalue or deny your claim.
Learning more about what you should and should not do after a crash is crucial to increase the chance you get the compensation you deserve.
