You should see a doctor after a car crash, even if you feel fine. Hidden injuries and delayed symptoms are common after collisions, and adrenaline can mask pain for hours or even days. Getting checked by a medical professional right away protects your health, creates vital documentation for your insurance claim, and strengthens any legal case you may file later.
Our attorneys have handled countless cases where victims felt fine at first, only to discover serious internal injuries days later. Seeking medical care right away can make all the difference.
Additionally, you should contact a skilled car accident lawyer right away to protect your rights and maximize compensation. Your lawyer will negotiate on your behalf with the insurance company to insure your best interests are represented in the compensation you receive. They will even go to court for you, should a fair settlement not be agreed upon.
The experienced car accident lawyers at Chute, O’Malley, Knobloch, & Turcy, LLC, are on standby to help you get justice and full compensation from the at-fault party. Call 312-775-0042 for a free consultation.
Why Is it Important to See a Doctor after a Car Crash?
Seeing a doctor after a car accident is important because you may be experiencing delayed symptoms or internal injuries, and diagnosing these issues before they worsen helps lessen the chances of future complications.
Here’s why seeing a doctor matters after a crash:
- Detect hidden or delayed injuries before they worsen
- Protect your insurance claim from denial or underpayment
- Strengthen your legal case with clear medical documentation
Safeguarding Your Health
Many serious injuries relating to car accidents do not show symptoms right away. This means you may not realize the severity of your injuries until days or weeks after your accident. By then, your injuries may have worsened. A prompt medical diagnosis from a professional is essential in protecting your health.
Insurance Purposes
Insurers use several systems to determine the validity and value of your claim. One of the elements used to process your claim is whether you sought medical attention and how soon you did so.
You wait too long, and the insurer might argue that you got injured elsewhere. The insurer may use your delay in seeking medical attention to justify its decision to deny your claim or offer a fraction of what it should ideally pay as compensation. Similarly, this initial medical examination can form a basis for the insurer to cover the required follow-up care after the accident.
A reasonable time to get a medical checkup is 72 hours after the accident for most auto insurance companies. One of the most common mistakes after a car accident is waiting too long to get a medical checkup.
Support a Legal Claim
When your accident results from someone else’s actions, you might find yourself dealing with an unfamiliar insurance company when pursuing compensation. If you are wondering how to win a car accident case, a medical report is a good place to start.
Timely healthcare becomes useful because it shows you met the insurer’s stipulation of seeing a doctor within 72 hours. Additionally, timely medical treatment helps tie your injuries to the accident.
The second thing is that you will get examined and ideally get some diagnostic imaging tests done, treatment program designed, and medications prescribed. These will be followed by medical invoices that go towards quantifying your expenses for compensation.
Be sure to keep all your medical reports, invoices, and receipts. Also, keep a diary to document how you feel in the days and weeks after the accident. Your car accident lawyer will use these reports and documentation to build a case and seek compensation.
Can You Experience Delayed Injury Symptoms After an Accident?
You can experience delayed injury symptoms after an accident, even if you feel fine. Some injuries, such as internal injuries, will not have outward signs immediately after your accident. For instance, if you are bleeding internally, you may not know, and it will continue to get worse over time for as long as you neglect treatment. This is one of the many reasons it’s crucial to seek medical treatment right away. Only a medical professional can accurately gauge how injured you truly are.
When to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer
Knowing when to hire a car accident lawyer can make or break your case. Typically, when your case involves disputed or unclear fault, uncooperative insurance companies, property damages or serious injuries, it is in your best interest to hire a car accident attorney. Attorneys are here to protect your rights and ensure you get a fair and reasonable compensation for your injuries.
Because evidence and injuries fade over time, and can be harder to link to an accident the longer it takes to file your claim, it is crucial that you speak to an attorney and begin the process of filing your lawsuit as soon as you are able to.
There are multiple benefits to hiring an attorney after a car accident. An attorney will review your case and advise whether you have grounds to sue. If you do, the attorney will begin his or her investigations and fact-finding to gather enough information to file a suit.
Using the facts of your accident, your receipts, medical records, and expert witness statements, the attorney can then compute how much you should get in compensation, file a lawsuit, and get into settlement negotiations with the insurer. Should your attorney feel you are getting lowballed or that the insurer is denying your claim wrongfully, the attorney will proceed to represent you at trial.
The time after an accident or the loss of a loved one through an accident can be draining financially, emotionally, and mentally. As such, it helps to have a qualified legal representative to help you navigate the legal processes that precede compensation.
A lawyer who will take your matter personally and accord your case the time and resources it requires can increase your odds of obtaining maximum compensation. You can count on Chute, O’Malley, Knobloch, and Turcy, LLC, for personalized and dedicated legal representation. Contact us if you or a loved one has been involved in an accident.
What Are Common Injuries Doctors See After Car Accidents?
Illinois ranks 8th among the top 10 states with the highest number of car accidents, so doctors in our state see their fair share of crash injuries. The outcomes of motor vehicle accidents vary from mild to severe and, in worst-case scenarios, fatalities may occur. Some injuries from car accidents can be apparent immediately, like broken bones and cuts.
Other injuries can be latent and take weeks or months to become obvious. What’s more, some injuries manifest themselves psychologically, leaving no physical signs. The most common car accident injuries include:
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) are caused by impact to the head. In a motor vehicle accident, TBIs result from the head coming into violent contact with parts of the car or the road. A TBI will often leave a person with a permanent disability. It will also result in hefty health care bills, dependency, and a lowered quality of life.
Head, Neck, and Spinal Cord Injuries
Besides TBIs, accident victims can suffer other head injuries, like concussions. The impact of an accident can also cause neck and spinal injuries. Neck injuries can be mild and treatable using medication and neck braces, or they can be severe, affecting the spine.
Spinal cord injuries are serious, as the spine sends signals between the brain and the rest of the body. When the spine is injured, there are changes in feeling and movement, strength, and loss of bowel and bladder control. Spinal cord injuries also cause difficulty breathing and decline in sexual function and other body functions below the injury site. These physical effects almost always bring emotional, mental, and social side effects.
Broken or Fractured Bones
Broken bones and fractures are common in car crash victims. These injuries are often not as severe as TBIs and neck and spine injuries. They are, however, painful, and the victim will require some downtime to heal completely. In severe cases, injured parties with broken bones and fractures might have a limb so severely damaged that they require amputation.
Burns
Car crashes subject victims to burns and scalding, which can then cause disfigurement, scarring, and infections. Again, burns need to be properly managed for the best recovery outcomes. Still, these can leave victims scarred for life, which comes with its share of mental and emotional anguish.
Internal Injuries
Internal injuries constitute scenarios like internal bleeding. These injuries can’t be seen outwardly but are a ticking time bomb if not addressed promptly.
Emotional Injuries
While some people will get visible injuries or internal injuries from car accidents, there is another type of injury: emotional injuries. These cannot be seen outright or in imaging tests, as their effects are primarily psychological. The symptoms of emotional injuries include PTSD, depression, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Car Accident FAQs
How long do I have to see a doctor after a car accident?
Most insurance companies expect you to see a doctor within 72 hours of a car accident. Delaying medical care can give insurers a reason to deny or minimize your claim. Even if you feel fine, schedule an appointment right away to protect both your health and your case.
Can I still file a claim if I didn’t see a doctor right after the crash?
Yes, but it may be harder to prove your injuries were caused by the accident. The longer you wait to get medical care, the easier it is for insurers to argue that your injuries happened elsewhere. Always document your symptoms and see a doctor as soon as possible.
What kind of doctor should I see after a car accident?
Start with an emergency room or urgent care visit if you have any pain, dizziness, or visible injuries. For follow-up care, you may see your primary physician, an orthopedic specialist, or a chiropractor, depending on your symptoms. Your lawyer can help you find the right specialists for your claim.
What happens if my injuries appear days or weeks later?
Some crash injuries—like concussions, whiplash, or internal bleeding—take time to show symptoms. If new pain develops, return to your doctor immediately. Explain your accident and request imaging or further testing. Your updated medical records will still support your claim.
Why is medical documentation important for a car accident claim?
Medical records connect your injuries directly to your accident. Without that documentation, insurers can deny payment or argue the injury was unrelated. Your medical reports, treatment plans, and receipts form the foundation of your legal claim for compensation.
