Do I Have a Car Accident Claim if I Did Not Feel Hurt at the Scene?
At the scene of an automobile accident, you may not feel injured because your body is likely filled with adrenaline. Medical and scientific research has proven that your body will feel less pain due to adrenaline. That is a key reason why adrenaline is nick-named the “flight or fight” hormone because it will enable the human body to continue running from or fighting danger even when injured.
Unfortunately, many people decline medical attention or leave an accident scene before undergoing a medical examination. As a result, those people may begin to feel the pain from the accident hours, days, or even weeks later.
It is critical for your health and well-being to visit the emergency room or schedule a doctor’s appointment immediately following an accident. In addition, if the accident was not your fault and you believe that you may have to work with an insurance company or file a lawsuit to recover damages or get a car accident claim, it can become important to have clear documentation of any injuries you sustained as a result of the accident.
Why are Medical Records Important for Car Accident Claims?
Medical records created shortly after an accident can be vital if you decide to pursue a personal injury case or settlement to get a car accident claim. Proximity in time to the accident helps connect your injuries to the accident. For example, if you have been consistently seeing a podiatrist for years but then suddenly must see both your podiatrist and a chiropractor, the proximity in time to when the accident occurred and when you first visited the chiropractor can be illuminating to a judge or jury.
Sometimes, what appears to be one simple injury can lead to further problems down the line. Whiplash is an example of an injury that can worsen over time. Whiplash is a neck injury caused by forceful, rapid back-and-forth movement of the neck and occurs most often in rear-end automobile accidents.
Additionally, time might reveal other injuries, so keeping a medical chronology of what you have treated and when can create a narrative from the initial car accident.
Sharing Medical Records is Uncomfortable: Is it Necessary?
We understand that it can be awkward to share your personal medical history with insurance representatives or with the opposing party in a lawsuit. The documented facts of how someone else’s negligence injured you are the most persuasive tool in getting you the compensation or car accident claim you deserve in a lawsuit.
Consulting with a personal injury attorney after a car incident in which you suffered an injury can help you understand how to work with insurance companies to ensure the best settlement possible. Also, an experienced attorney can advise you about whether or not filing a personal injury lawsuit would be in your best interest. The injury and accident attorneys at the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm are here to help you clearly understand what a critical role medical records can play in your case. Contact us today for more information.