If you have been in a car accident, you will most likely end up in the emergency room (ER). It is important to know what to expect when you visit the emergency room and after you leave.

1. ER doctors will evaluate the seriousness of your injuries

The purpose of an emergency room is to have your injuries examined as soon as possible. You may think that ongoing care will have more relevance to an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit after a car accident. But, because ER doctors and nurses are the first to treat you, their assessments are just as vital. A few things can happen after the doctor sees you.

• If your injuries are life-threatening, you will be moved into immediate surgery or intensive care.
• If you don’t require any care, you will be discharged and directed to follow up with your regular physician.
• You may be given treatment if your injuries are minor.
• You may be required to stay for a day or two for observation.

2. You will be asked about the car accident

Whether you are asked about the accident by the doctor during treatment or after time in surgery, medical professionals must know what happened. This helps them understand your injuries better. They WILL make a record of your statements, so remember this when answering their questions. It is best to be concise with your answers and only give enough information for them to treat you. Your personal injury claim or lawsuit will require all medical records, including your statements.

You SHOULD tell the medical professionals about every pain you have. Even if you only have a small amount of pain, you need to have a record of all your car accident injuries. Many times, small issues turn into large problems later on that require more care than you can anticipate. Doctors will be able to see if small injuries can turn into larger ones without treatment.

3. Pay attention to what you are signing

Reading and understanding what your paperwork means can be difficult if you are in pain. But, it is important to be aware of anything you are signing. Make sure the hospital will bill your health insurance. As much as is possible, do not sign anything without a personal injury attorney. Also, remember that the bill the insurance pays (and any bills you receive) will most likely be high.

4. Not all injuries show up immediately

As stated above, some injuries will not show up immediately. Because car accidents create an endorphin and adrenaline rush, it can be difficult to feel pain or know something is hurt. If you do not look for smaller injuries, you may not know you have them until days or even weeks later.

Broken bones and flesh wounds are easy to spot, but soft tissue damage and internal bleeding are often not. Delayed injuries can cause significant harm. Whiplash, brain damage, and bleeding from internal organs are some of the worst injuries that you may not notice immediately. That’s why it is important to listen to your body, report all discomfort at the emergency room, and follow up with your doctor.

Do you need the help of a car accident attorney?

Being involved in a Car Accident and dealing with your injuries is difficult enough. If you have been hurt because of someone else’s negligence, you shouldn’t have to handle the stress of a claim on your own. Contact Attorney Dean Boyd and his caring Team by calling (806) 242-3333 today. You can also Contact Us by email or visit us in person at 4423 SW 45th Avenue in Amarillo, Texas or 10623 Quaker Ave #102 in Lubbock, Texas.