If you find yourself in an unfortunate situation where you’ve been injured in an accident, it’s important that you respond quickly. The speed at which you respond can have a direct impact on your physical, emotional, and financial well-being.
Reason 1: Ensuring Your Safety and Health
Your health must be your top priority. Immediately after an accident, you should assess your physical condition and seek medical attention, even if your injuries seem minor. Shock and adrenaline can mask pain, and some injuries, like internal bleeding or concussions, might not show symptoms right away.
According to Advanced Spine Care NY, adrenaline and endorphins most commonly lead to delayed onset of the following pain symptoms:
- Abdominal pain (possibly internal bleeding)
- Back pain
- Whiplash and brain-related injuries
- Numbness (often accompanying spine damage or disc herniation)
- Neck and shoulder pain
By getting prompt medical help, you ensure that you are out of immediate danger. Medical professionals can assess your injuries accurately and provide the necessary treatments or interventions. This not only aids your physical recovery but also ensures that your injuries are documented from the outset, which is crucial for any related claims.
Reason 2: Establishing a Medical Record
Creating a detailed medical record right after an accident is a step many overlook. However, if you decide to seek compensation later, this record becomes a foundational piece of evidence.
Delaying medical treatment can be interpreted as an indication that your injuries were not serious or were not a result of the accident. Insurance companies often use these delays to diminish the value of your claim. They’ll claim that you aren’t as injured as you say you are, otherwise you would have seen a doctor. Or they might claim that you made your situation worse by not seeing a doctor right away, who could have helped you heal.
By visiting a healthcare provider immediately, you ensure that all injuries are recorded at their onset, linking them directly to the accident. This medical record will be one of the foundational pieces of your claim, should you file one.
Reason 3: Determining If You Have a Personal Injury Case
If the accident was due to someone else’s negligence, you might be entitled to compensation for your injuries, pain, and losses. Consulting with a personal injury lawyer soon after the accident can help you understand your legal options and rights.
“By meeting with an attorney, you can determine if you have a valid personal injury claim and what your next steps should be,” attorney Mickey Keenan says. “If you wait too long to consult with one, you could run the risk of missing the deadline for filing a lawsuit if one becomes necessary.”
There are statutory deadlines, known as statutes of limitations, which dictate how long you have to file a claim. These deadlines vary by state and by the type of claim. Acting quickly ensures that you don’t unintentionally forfeit your right to seek compensation because of a missed deadline. Not only that, but early legal consultation can prevent you from making statements or decisions that could undermine your potential claim, such as prematurely negotiating with insurance companies.
Reason 4: Preserving Evidence and Witness Testimonies
The scene of an accident can change quickly as vehicles are moved, debris is cleared, and witnesses leave. Acting fast to document the scene and gather information is super important.
Photos of the accident scene, your injuries, and any property damage serve as hard evidence that can support your account of the events. Additionally, witnesses’ memories are freshest immediately after the incident.
“Witnesses may be able to describe things about an accident that confirm what you believe happened, backing up your story,” Nolo explains. “Also, they may provide you with information you were not aware of but which shows how the other person was at fault. Even a witness who did not actually see the accident may have seen you soon after you were injured and can confirm that you were in pain or discomfort.”
Gathering their contact information and statements right away can provide critical insights that might otherwise be lost over time. Don’t delay on this end of things!
Adding it All Up
The aftermath of an accident is disorienting and stressful, but the actions you take immediately following an accident can have long-lasting implications. This includes implications for your physical health, emotional health, and financial well-being.
Remember, the urgency of your response after an accident isn’t just about moving fast—it’s about moving with purpose. Use some of the principles discussed above to formulate a fast and purposeful response that sets you up for long-term success!