After a Castle Rock car accident, medical attention for injured drivers and passengers is a clear and immediate priority. However, what if you only suffered minor injuries? Should you still see a doctor? If so, when?
The answers to these questions not only impact your health but may also affect any injury claims you intend to file against the at-fault driver. The sections below detail when you should see a doctor after a car accident and highlight the risks of delayed medical treatment.
You Should See a Doctor as Soon as Possible After a Collision
In reality, you should seek medical treatment as quickly as possible after a car crash — even if you feel fine.
Common injuries requiring medical care include:
- Whiplash
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
- Broken Bones
- Spinal Cord Injuries
- Internal Injuries
However, some injuries are not immediately apparent and may not manifest symptoms until hours or days after the accident. If you delay medical care, these injuries may get worse — making recovery longer, more difficult, and more expensive.
Seeking immediate treatment ensures your injuries receive early diagnosis and attention, including unseen injuries and conditions. Doctors can then develop a treatment plan that enables you to reach maximum medical improvement as quickly as possible.
You can seek medical attention after a crash via an ambulance or by following up with your own medical provider. If you opt for the latter, you should follow up as soon as possible after the crash.
Delaying A Doctor’s Visit Can Affect Your Injury Claim
If you decide to seek compensation for crash-related injuries, you will likely be entitled to two main types of compensation: (1) economic damages to cover financial losses and (2) non-economic damages for personal, non-monetary losses.
An injury claim provides you with an opportunity to recover money for:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of consortium
You will likely deal with an insurance company on the other side of your claim. Insurance adjusters will conduct exhaustive investigations into your medical history to determine their liability for your injuries. They won’t pay more than they have to, and they will pay less if they can.
Mitigating Damages
One strategy insurers frequently employ is accusing accident victims of failing to mitigate their damages. Colorado imposes a duty on injured individuals to mitigate (i.e., minimize) damages. Also known as the “doctrine of avoidable consequences,” this duty requires victims to take reasonable steps to minimize their losses after an accident or injury. If you don’t see a doctor right away, an adjuster may claim that you made your injuries worse and incurred damages you wouldn’t have incurred if you had sought care sooner.
Failure to mitigate is an affirmative defense, meaning the insurance company must raise it in court. If they can show you failed to minimize your damages, you will not be able to recover full compensation for your injuries. Specifically, a judge or jury will deduct from your award the amount of damages caused by your decision not to see a doctor right away.
Contact a Castle Rock Car Accident Lawyer for Help With Your Claim
If you’ve been injured in a motor vehicle accident, you should see a doctor right away — even if you believe you are unharmed. You should also contact an experienced car accident lawyer in Castle Rock. Our Castle Rock car accident attorney at Casares Injury Law, Dale G. Casares, can help you understand your rights, connect you with medical specialists, and help you avoid mistakes that could jeopardize your compensation award.
Call us today at (303) 688-7474 or fill out our online form to schedule a free consultation.