Many times people simply walk away from a minor vehicle crash, such as a rear-end collision. Outside of frayed nerves and a bit of soreness, they insist they feel fine.
However, symptoms of an underlying injury may not appear for hours, if not days, so prompt medical attention is essential. You need an official diagnosis, and you need the accompanying medical report.
A serious shock
The human body is not designed to withstand the violent impact of a car crash without repercussions. To begin with, the body will release adrenalin, which is capable of masking pain and injury temporarily. This is why you may not notice any symptoms immediately after the crash.
More than you anticipated
A medical evaluation after a vehicle crash may reveal an underlying injury. A rear-end collision could leave you with a neck or back injury. A T-bone crash at an intersection could cause you to have a broken shoulder, an injury that almost always requires surgery. If the impact causes you to hit your head on the steering wheel, you could have a concussion or a more serious traumatic brain injury.
Expenses to manage
Back, head and shoulder injuries are merely a few examples of medical issues that may come with increasing costs such as surgical intervention, prolonged hospital care or an ongoing rehabilitation program. How will you manage? An advocate can address insurance matters while you concentrate on your health. The medical report tying your injury directly to the vehicle crash will be essential when filing a claim. Remember that if you are the victim of a vehicle crash, you have the right to expect full and fair compensation to cover your current and future medical costs, lost wages and more.