Frequently Asked Questions on Car Accident Hospital Protocol

Seeking prompt medical treatment is one of the first things that a crash victim should do after a car accident. There is no exact rule requiring an injured person to proceed immediately to the hospital. However, it is in the victim’s best interest to be evaluated by a healthcare professional without delay.

The Importance of Prompt Medical Attention After a Car Accident

car accident hospital protocol When a person suffers serious physical injury following a vehicular collision, urgent medical care is a must. The same is true even in fender-benders that cause minimal harm. From the legal perspective, proof of injuries is crucial so that the victim can be entitled to compensation.

Furthermore, urgent treatment ensures that the victim is not suffering from any injury. A person’s health may be put at risk if a medical examination gets delayed.

Also, situations happen when the victim feels no pain or may have delayed manifestations of injuries, such as in cases of internal bleeding or concussion and head injuries. If not treated promptly, these injuries can become life-threatening and may require surgery.

If medical help is immediately sought, the doctors can immediately determine if the victim is suffering from these injuries after conducting a thorough examination. Thus, health complications may be prevented.

Why Let a Medical Professional Determine Whether You Need Medical Treatment?

Getting a medical consult after a vehicular crash is crucial to protect your health. Even if you only have minor bumps and bruises or feel that you did not sustain any injury at all, you need to see a doctor. Here are some reasons to receive treatment right away:

  • You can be injured, and you are unaware of it. High-stress situations cause an adrenaline rush and make you feel energized. You may not feel any pain right away because of the boost of adrenaline. Only after the rush subsides that the victim may feel the effect of the accident.
  • Minor injuries could develop into serious health problems if not urgently treated.
  • Doctors like a primary care physician have the knowledge and expertise to determine whether a person is injured and recognize signs and symptoms of injuries that ordinary people might dismiss.

You can prevent further injuries and other health issues if you get yourself treated right away following a motor vehicle accident.

What is a Hospital Emergency Room (ER)?

A hospital’s emergency department provides 24-hour emergency care to patients requiring urgent medical care. It is also known as the emergency room or ER. In some hospital ERs, a trauma center handles extreme cases involving life-threatening injuries.

Doctors in the ER are trained to deal with patients requiring emergency medical treatment, such as those having serious injuries due to accidents.

Statistics: Car Accident Injuries in the United States

  • In 2020, 5,250,837 motor vehicle accidents occurred in the US. Of the said number, 35,766 are fatal car accidents. Meanwhile, 1,593,390 caused injuries, while 3,621,681 resulted in property damage.
  • The main causes of fatal accidents were drunk driving and speeding. Intoxicated drivers caused 13,695 cases of fatalities while over-speeding motorists caused 11,258 fatalities.
  • Passenger cars were the types of vehicles involved in the highest number of fatal accidents and injury-causing accidents. Fatal accidents involving passenger cars totalled 20,868 while injury-causing crashes summed up to 50,735.

Common Car Accident Injuries That Can Require Emergency Care

Serious accidents require an intervention of medical doctors as soon as possible. But even a minor motor vehicle accident can result in injuries that require a visit to the hospital emergency room.

Common injuries associated with car accidents include the following:

  • Open wounds
  • Contusions (bruises)
  • Fractures and broken bones
  • Sprains and strains
  • Neck injuries
  • Back and spinal injuries
  • Concussions and head injuries
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Other internal injuries

Car accident injuries can be life-threatening. If you feel any symptoms immediately after the accident, make sure to have yourself checked. Even if you do not feel any pain, a visit to the ER will make sure that you are in good shape. Complications may happen if you do not seek prompt medical attention.

What Will Likely Happen At The Emergency Room?

Getting yourself evaluated after a vehicular collision will help determine whether the accident caused damage to your body. When you visit the ER, expect a few things to happen:

  • Patients who go to the ER are seen in order of severity of their condition.
  • A patient care representative will ask for relevant information regarding your symptoms. The ER staff will also ask details about the accident.
  • Vital signs such as blood pressure, temperature, and pulse rate will also be checked. X-rays and lab work may also be required.
  • After the physical examination and depending on the severity of the injuries, you will be asked to undergo more tests.
  • The doctor may examine you further and treat you right away, depending on the doctor’s evaluation.
  • You may also be required hospital admission if your case requires so.

What Accident Victims Should Do and Say At The Hospital

Upon arriving at the hospital to seek medical treatment, you will be asked several questions related to the accident. Make sure to give a full account of the accident and the injuries and symptoms that you are experiencing.

Don’t forget to mention that you were involved in a car accident. Recall what exactly happened during the incident and report any pain or abnormal feeling that you are experiencing. For example, if your face hit the side door of your car during the accident, mention it even if you are not feeling any pain in your body.

Include everything that happened related to the accident, even if you think this is irrelevant. Do not dismiss any single symptom or sign of irregularity or abnormality in your body.

Lastly, ensure that everything that you reported is written and documented in the hospital.

Medical Records From a Hospital May Be More Powerful

The importance of going to the hospital after a motor vehicle crash becomes relevant when claiming compensation or filing a lawsuit. Even if you feel that you were not injured, have yourself checked right away and insist on putting everything on record. You will need the report of your medical condition in case you file a personal injury claim with the insurance company or will sue the at-fault driver.

Written accounts are relevant proof that you sustained an injury and that the injury was caused by the accident.

The Role Of Getting Immediate Medical Attention In Your Personal Injury Case

In a case involving personal injury due to a car collision, your medical report is crucial evidence in order to claim compensation. Get medical help as soon as you can. Failing to see a doctor will not only impact your health, but it may also affect your personal injury claim.

When you see a doctor, you get the care that you need. You also get to document your injury, which your personal injury lawyer can use as evidence for your case.

Will the Insurance Company Know You Did Not Seek Medical Care?

As a procedure, insurance companies are likely to request access to your medical record if you are injured. To show that your injury is related to the accident, you should be able to provide proof that you had yourself checked at a medical facility or was diagnosed by a medical professional. If you cannot show proof of medical care, the insurance company might reject your claim for insurance coverage.

How Long After a Motor Vehicle Accident Can You Go To The Hospital?

There is no hard and fast rule regarding when should you go to the medical facility following a motor vehicle crash.

However, if you suffered severe injuries after the crash, you should seek immediate treatment. However, if the injuries are minor and you feel that you can stand properly and you are in the right state of mind, you can gather relevant evidence that could be used for insurance claims and other injury claims. This includes photographs of the accident and contact information of the driver and possible witnesses. Make sure though that you have yourself checked right away after gathering these important information. Remember, records of your health condition are relevant in making a claim in the future.

How Can a Personal Injury Lawyer Help You With Your Car Accident Claim?

The process of claiming compensation after a car accident can be confusing to the victim of a car collision. Seeking help from a lawyer specializing in car accident cases will greatly help you file your claim.

An experienced attorney can assist in investigating the crash and find relevant evidence to support your claim. Further, your attorney can review all the evidence that you gathered in order to determine whether you have a case and to what extent you can recover.

Can You Pursue Compensation For Your Traumatic Injury From a Car Crash?

Yes, under the law, you are entitled to claim compensation if you suffered a traumatic injury because of a car collision. You can file a no-fault claim with your insurance company and also sue the at-fault driver to claim compensation. The no-fault benefit will shoulder your medical bills and lost wages, regardless of whose fault the accident is.

Who Will Cover Your Expenses For Seeking Immediate Medical Care?

Emergency care is covered by the no-fault benefits. Regardless of who is at fault, the no-fault benefits will cover medical bills, lost wages, and other economic damages including replacement services, medical mileage, and attendant care. This means that the victim does not need to sue the at-fault driver since the victim’s own insurance will pay for the claim up to the amount covered by the policy.

I Did Not Seek Medical Attention Right Away, What Should I Do?

The most prudent thing to do after a car collision is to seek prompt medical help. However, there are times when you are not able to go to the doctor right away, like when you think you are not suffering from any injury. Know that even if there is a delay, you may still file a claim for damages. However, it will be a bit more difficult to prove that the injury that you suffered was accident-related.

To avoid this problem, visit a doctor right away after the vehicle crash.

How Long Do You Have To File a Personal Injury Claim

Under the law, you have one year to file a claim under the no-fault benefits. However, for lawsuits relating to personal injuries due to a vehicle crash, you have three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver.

Seek Legal Representation For Your Injury Cases. Get a Free Consultation Today.

If you need legal help because of car accident-related injuries, call The Clark Law Office and have our experienced lawyers evaluate your case. Our personal injury lawyers are ready to help you get the best results possible.

Call us at (517) 347-6900 for free consultation. We are open Mon-Sat from 9AM to 6PM.

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