Why It’s Important You See a Doctor After Being in a Los Angeles Car Accident

In the bustling metropolis of Los Angeles, car accidents are unfortunately a common occurrence. Shockingly, in 2020 alone, the California Office of Traffic Safety recorded a staggering 14,997 cases of severe traffic injuries. However, how many of these auto accident victims went to the doctor after being involved in a car accident?

These accidents result in a range of injuries, from often underestimated whiplash to more serious conditions like bone fractures, concussion, and traumatic brain injury.

If you find yourself in the unfortunate situation of being involved in a car accident, your immediate steps can profoundly impact the trajectory of your claim for compensation. 

This blog will help you understand the pivotal role prompt medical attention plays in ensuring you receive the rightful compensation after a car accident in Los Angeles.

Reasons to See a Doctor After an Accident

Seeking medical help after a car crash isn’t just about addressing injuries–it plays a pivotal role in both your personal injury case and your overall well-being. 

Beyond the immediate concern for your health, timely medical attention can significantly impact your legal standing and emotional recovery in the aftermath of a car accident. 

Here are other reasons why you should see an auto accident doctor after a Los Angeles collision:

Avoid Further Complications

Injuries from a car crash don’t always reveal themselves immediately. Conditions like whiplash might incubate for 12 hours or more before symptoms surface, and in severe cases, they can bring about numbness, vision issues, and muscle weakness. 

Visiting a physician promptly after the incident is crucial; it enables early detection and treatment of these hidden injuries, potentially preventing them from exacerbating into more severe problems. 

Car Accident-Related Injuries May Have Delayed Symptoms

Blunt trauma resulting from the impact of a car accident can lead to potentially fatal internal bleeding, presenting symptoms like abdominal or chest pain, and dizziness. However, these symptoms might be mistaken for minor ailments. 

Similarly, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can manifest days after the incident and could escalate to severe conditions like coma or brain death. Swift diagnosis and treatment are crucial in preventing such complications. TBIs can only be accurately diagnosed through imaging like MRI and CT scans, necessitating an immediate hospital visit. 

Seeking medical attention promptly from an auto accident doctor ensures a comprehensive examination and proper treatment. Delay might give the other party or insurance the opportunity to question the severity of your condition.

Protect Your Ability To Claim Compensation

Insurers typically stipulate a specific timeframe for accident victims to seek medical care and be eligible for coverage under personal injury protection. 

Delaying a doctor’s visit for a few days could jeopardize your ability to claim compensation and, more importantly, jeopardize your health and recovery. 

Once you’ve consulted a physician, it’s vital to adhere to their treatment plan and follow their recommendations diligently. Failing to do so might provide the insurer with an argument that your condition worsened due to your actions, potentially affecting your claim.

Prevent the Insurance Company From Discrediting Your Claim

The insurance company of the other driver will often present various arguments to undermine your claim or reduce your payout. They might assert that your injuries worsened due to your delay in seeking immediate medical care. 

Additionally, they may assume that you didn’t suffer severe injuries if you didn’t seek medical attention promptly after the car accident. It’s essential to anticipate and counter such arguments to ensure a fair evaluation of your claim.

Establish the Link Between the Accident and Injuries

To build a successful claim, you need to establish the other driver’s negligence, supported by these elements:

• Defendant’s duty to the plaintiff
• Breach of duty
• The plaintiff’s injury
• Causation or, the connection between the breach and injury

Medical reports from an auto accident doctor play a crucial role in this process. These doctors outline the extent of your injuries and propose treatment plans, providing essential documentation that substantiates your claim. 

Therefore, this documentation is vital for securing fair compensation, as it demonstrates the direct connection between the injuries sustained and the vehicle crash.

Types of Doctors to See After a Los Angeles Car Accident

Ensure comprehensive care by consulting various specialists to address potential injuries:

• Emergency room (ER) physician: Seek immediate care from an ER doctor for stabilizing injuries and assessing life-threatening conditions. This enhances your chances of a successful recovery.
• Radiologists: Radiologists interpret crucial diagnostic imaging like X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs, identifying bone fractures or internal injuries with precision.
• Primary care physician (PCP): Your PCP can effectively manage non-emergency injuries, offering referrals to specialists when necessary. This ensures a comprehensive approach to your recovery.
• Orthopedic surgeon: Consult an orthopedic specialist for the diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injuries, ensuring a comprehensive approach to healing.
• Neurologist: Turn to a neurologist for the evaluation and treatment of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), concussions, and other neurological issues.
• Psychiatrist: Car crashes also affect a person’s mental health. A psychiatrist can offer support to address emotional distress, trauma, anxiety, or depression resulting from the incident.
• General surgeons: In cases of internal injuries, general surgeons can perform surgeries to manage complications and ensure overall well-being and recovery.
• Physical therapist: A physical therapist can help you regain strength and mobility through personalized exercises and rehabilitation programs, promoting a more effective and speedy recovery.

Coverage of Personal Injury Claim

You may be eligible for different types of compensation based on your case’s specific circumstances:

Economic Damages

Economic damages aim to reimburse victims for their financial losses, covering medical expenses, repair bills, lost income, and missed opportunities. For example, critical procedures like spinal fusion or brain surgery can easily surpass $100,000. California, with its daily hospital cost reaching an astonishing $4,181, further accentuates the financial strain.

Regrettably, meeting these high medical costs poses a significant challenge for many. Medical bills, ongoing rehabilitation, and anticipated future expenses can quickly accumulate. Therefore, it becomes paramount for victims to secure the rightful compensation to offset these burdens.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages are designed to compensate for intangible losses suffered by victims. They include pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and general discomfort.

The expert evaluation of a psychiatrist can significantly support your claim for non-economic damages. A thorough assessment of your mental health records serves as concrete evidence, illustrating the profound impact of the accident on your emotional well-being.

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages, often known as exemplary damages, are additional monetary awards granted in some legal cases to punish the defendant for particularly egregious behavior and to deter similar actions in the future. Unlike compensatory damages, which aim to compensate the victim for losses incurred, punitive damages are intended to penalize the defendant.

These damages go beyond simple compensation for actual losses and are awarded when the defendant’s actions are considered wanton, malicious, fraudulent, or grossly negligent. The objective is to discourage similar actions by demonstrating that society will not tolerate such conduct.

However, it is important to note that punitive damages are not available in every case. Their availability, calculation, and limits vary by jurisdiction and are subject to specific legal and procedural requirements.

Seek the Help of a Los Angeles Car Accident Attorney

A personal injury lawyer is an invaluable guide throughout your case. They will assist with evidence collection, claim filing, and post-incident steps like seeking immediate medical attention. Their expertise ensures you navigate the legal complexities, enhancing your chances of a successful claim.

At Adamson Ahdoot, our reliable car accident lawyers in Los Angeles can handle your unique case. We also offer consultations in English and Spanish to help drivers, pedestrians, and persons affected by a road accident. 

Our civil litigation law firm has more than 100 years of legal experience, which can be beneficial to your claim. Contact us at (800) 310-1606 or visit our website for a free consultation.