Why should you see a doctor within 24 to 48 hours of any motor vehicle collision in California? What happens if you don’t go see a trauma expert physician? Why is this so important, even if you feel relatively ok, or just shaken up? One of the most important things to do after a car accident in Mission Viejo, Irvine, Orange County, Los Angeles, the Inland Empire or anywhere in Southern California is to see a doctor.
Key Takeaways About Why You Should See a Doctor Within 24 to 48 Hours of any Motor Vehicle Collision in California – Even If You Think You’re Just Shaken Up:
- One of the most important things anyone has been involved in a motor vehicle collision in California must do is to see a qualified physician within 24 to 48 hours of the accident, even if you don’t think you are injured. Many of the injuries a body sustains in a motor vehicle collision take days, weeks, or even months before presenting any symptoms. The failure to see a physician within a few days of the accident gives the insurance company the power to deny your otherwise valid personal injury claim. This could not only cost you tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars, but cause genuine economic hardship and a lifetime of needless suffering because you didn’t have the resources to handle, treat and resolve your injuries and associated symptoms and pain.
Anyone who has experienced a collision as a driver or passenger has experienced G Forces that cause damage in many areas throughout the body. It can take days, weeks, and sometimes months before the impact of these injuries shows up in daily life. Under California law, injured parties must promptly seek medical evaluation to avoid jeopardizing recovery for associated medical costs and associated expenses due to the injuries they’ve received in a car accident, truck collision, motorcycle crash, or rideshare accident. A study recently presented to the American Pain Society-and several others performed over the course of the past few decades stress the importance of prompt medical treatment after a car accident. Failure to do seek a thorough medical examination within 24 to 48 hours of the accident could have dire consequences, including:
- Denial of your (otherwise valid) personal injury claim
- Worsening of whatever injuries had initially occurred
- Development of additional injuries or complications
- Longer recovery time
- Need for additional or more invasive treatments
- Significantly higher medical costs
- Lost wages and productivity sacrificed for a longer recovery time
- Development of chronic, widespread pain that can last years or even become permanent
- Jeopardizing your legal right to compensation to cover medical expenses, lost wages, fair compensation for your injury and recovery and even property damage
This is why why you should see a doctor within 24 to 48 hours of any motor vehicle collision in California. Prompt medical treatment after a car accident is especially important for difficult-to-diagnose injuries like ligament injuries, muscle tears, sprains and other so-called “soft tissue” injuries. Many injuries to the back, neck or head can take weeks or even months before symptoms become evident. Without both timely and effective treatment, symptoms of these injuries could linger for weeks, months or even years, and could, in some instances, become permanent.
The type of treatment matters
While it is common for those involved in car accidents to seek treatment at a conveniently located emergency room or urgent care center, this study-authored by June Hu, statistician with the University of North Carolina’s TRYUMPH (Trauma Recovery Understanding Mechanisms and Promoting Healing) Research Program indicates that many people who are seen in those types of facilities who don’t present with obvious injuries like lacerations, broken bones, etc., are only given a cursory examination and discharged.
By not detecting and attempting to treat pain-causing conditions immediately following an accident, physicians and other medical providers might be making the patient’s situation even worse. This is due in part to the fact that many patients, having been evaluated and cleared by a medical professional, will return to normal activities too soon and exacerbate injuries or develop new ones as their body tries to compensate. This will increase their chances of developing lingering widespread pain or a different condition that is much worse than the original harm caused in the accident. It is also why you should see a doctor within 24 to 48 hours of any motor vehicle collision in California.
However, if prompt medical treatment after a car accident is undertaken to thoroughly evaluate the patient in an attempt to ferret out the presence of “invisible” injuries, symptoms of which might not appear immediately on the scene of an accident or in the next few hours or days, targeted treatment could begin. This may involve traditional methods like medication, rest, wraps/bandages/braces/casts to support injured areas, an ice or heat regimen, or physical therapy, along with more “alternative” methods like chiropractic care, electrical stimulation, acupuncture, acupressure, vitamin supplements or massage.
No matter the type of treatment protocol selected, the fact remains that car or truck accident victims who proactively seek medical care following a crash statistically fare much better than similarly situated people who went untreated. Of course, if you have been involved in an accident, it is possible that you are worried about the expense of seeking medical treatment, particularly given the property damage to your vehicle. Keep in mind that in many cases, the auto insurance of the at-fault driver will likely be responsible for your medical bills. Insurance companies always offer a low settlement for injury claims, but will outright deny your otherwise valid claim if you do not see a doctor within 24 to 48 hours of your accident.
In addition, some situations warrant bringing a legal claim against a reckless, negligent or distracted driver to hold him (or her) responsible for causing the accident. If you have questions why you must see a doctor within 24 to 48 hours of any motor vehicle collision in California or whether you should consider legal action to seek compensation following a car accident we invite you to review the strong recommendations of our clients and the legal industry as well as our successful verdicts and settlements and contact Rivers Morrell or call today to speak with Rivers personally for a free, substantive consultation at (949) 305-1400.
