In the immediate aftermath of an accident, you may think that you’re just fine. There’s no need to go to a doctor if you don’t feel hurt, right? Wrong. It’s important to see a professional and get diagnosed right away. A Prince George’s County personal injury attorney from our firm can tell you why taking this step is so important.
Can I Still Be Injured If I Don’t Feel Hurt?
In the immediate aftermath of an accident, your stress or adrenaline can make it harder to get an accurate appraisal of your injuries. We also aren’t exactly equipped to diagnose all kinds of injuries on our own. This is why it’s important to go to a doctor even if you don’t feel hurt. They can diagnose common injuries like:
- Concussions or traumatic brain injury
- Whiplash
- Nerve damage
- Back or neck strain
- Fractured bones
- Internal bleeding
Why Else Should I Go to a Doctor Even If I Don’t Feel Hurt?
You should also go to a doctor even when you don’t feel hurt because it can affect any potential personal injury case. If you were in, let’s say, a car accident and you believe that another driver was at fault, you may have a credible personal injury claim to make. However, if you put off your visit to a doctor that driver’s insurer might try to use that against you. An adjuster might say that you were hurt elsewhere or that your injuries must not have been too serious.
It’s also a good idea to see a doctor even if you don’t feel hurt because you could end up making an injury worse. If you are not properly diagnosed with an injury and then you do something to exacerbate it, like working out or engaging in another potentially stressful activity, you could do some serious damage to your body.
What Should I Avoid Doing After an Accident?
So you know that seeing a doctor should be a top priority, but there are also activities and actions that you should avoid after getting hurt in an accident. If you want to sue for damages and build a strong case, you should not:
- Post about the accident on social media
- Make any statements that could admit fault
- Rush to accept an insurance company’s offer
- Talk to other involved parties, lawyers, or insurance companies on your own
Let your attorney handle the talking for you.
What Kinds of Damages Can I Win If I Sue?
If your personal injury case is successful, you can win compensation that makes up for the economic and non-economic costs of your accident. Economic damages can include compensation for lost wages, medical expenses, and property damages, those things that are easy to quantify. Non-economic damages are meant to make up for things like psychological trauma, loss of enjoyment, or pain and suffering.
Contact Our Law Firm
When you are ready to sue for damages after an accident, contact McCarthy, Winkelman & Mester, L.L.P. We can tell you more about your legal options and the potential value of your case at a free consultation. Contact our firm today.
