After you’ve been involved in a car accident, there are certain things you need to do to protect yourself. Obviously, you need to call 911. It’s important than an officer come out and do a through investigation of the accident scene. You also need to go to the hospital immediately after the crash. This is the only way to make sure you’re okay. And you should call and speak with an experienced Atlanta car accident lawyer as soon as possible after the collision.
If you miss any of these steps, you could be jeopardizing your legal claim. For example, if you don’t go to the emergency room, your injury lawyer in Atlanta will have no way to prove that you were hurt. Not to mention the fact that you be suffering from internal injuries that you don’t know about.
Here, we’ll talk about why it’s so important that you go to the hospital immediately following your car accident in Georgia. If you happen to have any questions about your own car accident case, give us a call. We can schedule your free, initial consultation over the phone or through our website.
The Police Will Ensure an Ambulance Comes to the Scene
When you call 911, the police dispatcher will make sure an ambulance is sent to the accident scene. This way, they can help take care of anybody who was hurt in the crash. the EMTs can also help treat any superficial injuries at the scene and take you to the hospital for tests and treatment.
Some people walk away from their accident, refusing medical treatment. They insist that they feel fine. They don’t want to incur any unnecessary medical bills. They also want to just put the crash behind them and move on with their day. What they don’t realize is that seeing an emergency room doctor can be the only thing that stands between life and death. Just because you look and feel fine, that doesn’t mean you haven’t suffered internal bleeding, a traumatic brain injury, or organ damage. If left untreated, these injuries can prove fatal.
Your Atlanta Car Accident Lawyer Will Need to Prove Your Injuries
The whole reason people sue after a car accident is to get damages for their injuries. One of the big problems our Atlanta car accident lawyers face is when a client never went to the hospital in the first place. Or they wait days or weeks to go to the hospital. By the time they realize something is wrong, there’s no telling how much worse their injuries have gotten.
There are certain injuries that you can’t detect without undergoing the necessary diagnostic testing. Some of these tests include the following:
- MRI
- X-ray
- CT scan
- Physical examination
- Neurological examination
If you end up with internal injuries, they need to be treated immediately. For example, if you have internal bleeding and it goes untreated, you could die. Or you could end up with irreversible damage to your body. The defendant’s attorney may claim that you failed to mitigate your damages by refusing medical treatment at the accident scene. They will have a strong case if this is the defense they launch.
If You Wait Too Long, the Defendant Will Claim Something Other Than the Crash Caused Your Injuries
What a lot of people don’t realize is that it’s very rare that one driver is 100% responsible for a car crash. Usually, one person is primarily responsible. But the other driver probably could have been a bit safer as well. In cases where one driver is clearly at fault, it will usually come down to whether you can prove damages. If you have nothing to support your claim for damages, it will be nearly impossible to win your case.
As part of your case, your Atlanta car accident lawyer will have to prove negligence. One important element of negligence is proving that you were injured. If you didn’t go to the hospital after the crash, you’ll be hard pressed to demonstrate that you were hurt. In fact, if you have no evidence of injury, your attorney may not be able to prove your case.
You May Need Long-Term, Follow Up Care
When your injury lawyer in Atlanta files suit, they may demand compensation for future medical bills. If you need future surgeries or long-term care, the defendant should have to pay for it. However, the only way to prove that you need this care is to submit a copy of your medical records. Of course, you can also have your doctor testify to the fact that you’ll need future medical care. Unfortunately, if you never went to the hospital after your accident, there will nothing to prove these damages. It will be your word against the defendant’s. This means there’s a good chance the judge or jury will side with the defendant.
Reach Out to an Injury Lawyer in Atlanta As Soon as Possible After your Accident
If you or your loved one were hurt in an accident, you may be entitled to damages. However, the only way your injury lawyer in Atlanta can prove that you were hurt is by submitting a copy of your medical records. If you don’t go to the emergency room, there will be records to substantiate your injury claim. You also don’t want to wait too long to be seen. If you do that, the defendant’s attorney will argue that something other than the accident caused your injuries. Rather than let this happen, just go get the medical treatment you need.
When you first meet with your attorney, they’re going to ask to see a copy of your medical records. If they find out that you never went to the hospital, they may not be able to handle your case. Before you make any final decisions, you should call our office so we can schedule your free, initial consultation.
