Getting medical care after an injury is one of the most important things you can do. Whether you’ve been in a car accident, slipped and fallen, or suffered any other type of injury, seeing a doctor should be your top priority. Let’s talk about three key reasons why getting medical care is so important.
1. Medical Care Helps You Heal
The first reason to get medical care after an injury is to help yourself heal. Doctors, physical therapists, chiropractors, and other medical professionals can diagnose your injuries and create a treatment plan to help you recover. They may prescribe medicine, therapy, or other treatments to speed up your healing process. Without the right care, your injuries could worsen or take much longer to heal.
For example, if you have a sprained ankle, a doctor can give you the right brace, medication, or therapy to help it heal correctly. If you ignore it, you might end up making it worse, causing long-term pain or problems. Seeing a medical professional gives you the best chance to get better as quickly as possible.
2. Medical Records Show Proof of Injury
Another critical reason to seek medical care is that it proves you were injured. Some injuries, like cuts and bruises, are easy to see, but others, like concussions or back pain, are not visible. Seeing a doctor is essential to prove that you were hurt.
Imagine you get into a car accident and hit your head, causing a concussion. Because a concussion isn’t visible, only a doctor’s diagnosis and medical records can prove the injury. A doctor may also refer you to a specialist, such as a neurologist, who can provide even more proof that your injury is real and serious.
Without medical records, the other person can say you weren’t hurt, and insurance companies might argue the same. Seeing a doctor creates a record that proves your injuries are real.
3. Medical Bills Help Personal Injury Cases
If someone else’s mistake—like a car accident—injured you, you can file a personal injury claim to seek compensation. Insurance companies and courts usually decide how much money to award based on medical bills. If you don’t go to the doctor, you won’t have any medical bills, and it will be much harder to prove that you deserve compensation.
This doesn’t mean you should see a doctor for a better settlement. If you are genuinely injured, seek medical care to protect your health and support any legal case you may need to file. Medical records show your injuries’ seriousness and help determine how much compensation you should receive for your pain, suffering, and lost wages.
Seeking medical care after an injury helps you recover, proves your injury, and secures the compensation you deserve. Whether you’re in WV, VA, MD, or anywhere else, seeing a doctor, following their advice, and keeping records of your treatment can make a big difference in both your recovery and any legal action you may take.
Hear from Andrew, our attorney and a partner, about these three important reasons to seek medical care after an injury.