Car Accidents.

Car wrecks can cause medical bills, emotional distress, and time away from work. After you have been in a car accident, there are several steps you can take to help your case.

Seek Medical Attention

Getting medical help and following your doctor’s advice during recovery from injuries caused by a rear-end accident is extremely important. It’s essential to see a doctor after the accident and carefully follow their recommendations. This includes listening to their guidance on when and how you can safely return to work. If you hurry back to your usual activities too soon, you might slow down your recovery and make your injuries worse.

The length of time it takes to recover can differ significantly based on the kind of injury sustained. For instance, some people might heal quickly from conditions like whiplash, concussions, or soft tissue injuries, while others may struggle with ongoing symptoms or complications. In more serious situations, such as when a rear-end collision results in severe damage to the spine or brain, the effects can be immediately catastrophic, potentially resulting in coma, paralysis, or even death.

Ignoring injury symptoms such as pain or stiffness and hoping they will go away on their own is a big mistake, both for your physical well-being and your finances. By pushing through these symptoms, you are actually putting yourself at a higher risk of worsening your injuries. Moreover, if you do end up making your injuries worse, your actions can be used against you to decrease the amount of compensation you receive for your eventual injury. It is important to take any signs of injury seriously and seek appropriate medical attention to ensure proper healing and protect your rights.

Keep Copies of all Medical Records

Your medical records are crucial for documenting your recovery after an accident. It’s really important to keep a record of all your medical appointments, emergency room visits, physical therapy sessions, and any mental health treatments you undergo. Moreover, there are other significant details to add in this part of your journal, as they can help in figuring out the compensation you are entitled to. You should keep a close eye on all your medical expenses, which means you need to save every bill you get. This covers costs for medications, any medical equipment you may require, and even transportation to your doctor’s visits. Make sure to include any out-of-pocket expenses, like if you have to buy special bandages, expensive over-the-counter creams, or other items that aid in your recovery. It’s also essential to track any referrals you get for specialists or rehabilitation, along with the reasons you need this additional care. This will help illustrate how serious your injuries are and prove that you need comprehensive treatment.

When you take pictures of your injuries, you create solid evidence to back up your case. It’s crucial to get close-up shots and photos from different angles that show how serious the injury is. If you can’t take the pictures yourself, ask a friend or family member to assist you. Be sure to include all the necessary details. It’s essential to photograph any medical aids you use, such as bandages, braces, casts, wheelchairs, canes, and other equipment that helps you move around or manage your injuries. Ensure the photos have a timestamp to monitor your daily progress. If you can’t add a timestamp, just jot down the date in your journal for each picture you take. You need to show how any bruises, swelling, or bleeding are changing over time. It’s important to note if the injury isn’t healing as it should, and this should be documented as well. If your recovery slows down, it can affect not only your physical health but also your mental well-being.

Contact Us Before Speaking to the Insurance Company

Even if you think the proof is obvious that the other driver caused the car accident, you should avoid talking to their car insurance company. For instance, if you were waiting at a red light or a stop sign and the other driver hit the back of your car, it might seem clear that they were at fault. Still, you should not engage in conversation with them. If the insurance company realizes they can’t hold you responsible for causing or contributing to the accident, they will still want to have a discussion with you. Why is that? They are interested in talking to you about your injuries. Their goal is to gather information that suggests your injuries are minor or could have resulted from a different incident or situation.

When you don’t completely grasp how serious your injuries are or the costs of your medical treatment, it can result in your claim being valued less than it ought to be. Having a lawyer on your side can assist you in obtaining the medical care you require and give you a clearer understanding of your injuries and their possible long-term consequences. They can also help ensure that you receive treatment from the best doctors available. Sometimes, symptoms from internal injuries can appear days or even weeks after an accident.

These are known as latent car crash injuries. Problems like traumatic brain injuries, persistent whiplash, and mental health issues might not be evident immediately after the crash, but they can escalate into serious conditions if not addressed. When working with a lawyer, it’s essential to be truthful about the seriousness of your injuries and how they affect your daily life, from your job duties to caring for your family. These factors are often overlooked, yet they are vital in determining the appropriate amount of compensation you should receive.

If you’ve been in a car accident, contact the Law Office of Brian Brunson, PLLC. Our knowledgeable team will help assess your case and determine how to best help you.