The Importance of Seeking and Continuing Medical Treatment After an Accident
After a serious accident, many people are taken by ambulance to the nearest emergency room. Some are treated and released, while others may require additional hospitalization. In both instances, a large percentage of injured parties fail to seek any further medical treatment or continue with recommended care. By failing to continue treatment, their physical and financial recovery is directly affected.
At Ajlouny Injury Law, we represent people who have sustained an injury as a result of another person’s negligence. Whether you are involved in a car accident, slip and fall, or workplace accident, our attorneys can help. We have recovered millions on behalf of injury victims throughout New York City.
If you have been injured in an accident, contact our office at (718) 233-3913 for free legal advice.
The ER is for Stabilization, Not Prolonged Treatment
Unintentional injuries result in tens of millions of emergency department visits each year. According to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), car accidents alone sent over 2.5 million people to the emergency room (ER).
While it is essential to be treated at the emergency department immediately following an accident, it is equally as important to continue treatment and follow up with a medical provider.
The ER helps to stabilize individuals who are in critical condition after an accident; it is not meant for prolonged treatment. Before you are discharged, the emergency department physician handling your case will undoubtedly recommend that you follow up with your primary care doctor.
Without a Follow Up Symptoms Could Get Worse
Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of injury in the United States and, yet after injuries serious enough to require a trip to the emergency room, few people seek additional treatment within the next 30 days.
Without additional care, your injuries could get worse. By continuing with treatment, whether it is physical therapy, seeing a specialist, or simply setting a follow-up appointment with your primary care physician, you can ensure that all of your injuries are being treated, providing a faster, fuller recovery.
Some Injuries May Not Be Readily Apparent
After a sudden impact, your body may be in shock. The full extent of your injuries may not be readily apparent. Just because you are stable enough to be released from the emergency room, it does not mean that you are out of the woods.
Injuries that may not be immediately apparent:
- Whiplash
- Neck and back pain
- Herniated discs
- Shoulder injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Concussions
- Blood clots
- Internal bleeding
By remaining under the care of a physician, it can help to make sure that any potential complications from the accident are treated. Waiting to be seen, ignoring warning signs, or writing off an injury as not serious, could make the problem worse and have life-threatening consequences. If you have any pain, headaches, or numbness following an accident, seek medical treatment immediately.
Continued Treatment Provides a Record of Your Injuries
In general, if an illness or injury is serious enough to send you to the ER, you should be seen by your regular doctor as soon as possible once released. An ER doctor may give you a recommendation such as within 48 hours, or if they are connected through an insurance provider, they may be able to make the appointment for you.
If you are involved in an accident, this follow-up appointment becomes even more critical. Every time you see a doctor or health care provider, you create a record of your injuries and your treatment. Your medical records are a vital component to proving the severity of your injury and obtaining compensation for your losses.
A Gap In Treatment Can Ruin Your Chance at Recovery
An insurance company will usually want to see that you received medical treatment within 72 hours of the accident to prove that you were injured. In cases where there was a serious injury, most people will be transported to the hospital via an ambulance, meeting that initial requirement. However, beyond the emergency room visit, you must continue care for any injuries if you are seeking damages.
A prolonged period of time where you fail to receive medical care may hurt your chances of financial recovery. Insurance companies often refer to these periods as a “gap in treatment.” An insurance adjuster may use a gap in treatment to downplay your injuries, saying they were not serious enough for you to continue medical care. They may also use the gap to argue that you made your injuries worse by waiting too long to get the necessary treatment.
Injured in an Accident in NYC? Contact Ajlouny Injury Law Today!
If you have been injured in an accident, seek medical treatment and contact our New York City car accident lawyers for free legal advice. Even if you feel fine or are unsure about the seriousness of your injuries, you should still seek and continue treatment until advised otherwise.
Call our office at (718) 233-3913 to speak directly with an experienced attorney. We can help determine if you have a valid claim for damages and work to ensure that you recover physically and financially after a serious accident with injuries. Contact our office for free legal advice today.