Seeking Medical Treatment after Car Accidents
Persons involved in car accidents should make sure that they seek treatment for their injuries. It is human nature to be upset and perhaps even embarrassed after an accident. Your frazzled nerves may mask symptoms of injury. You may want to do nothing more than to go home and be alone. Nevertheless, seek medical attention if you have any doubt about the possibility of an injury or about the possibility of an injury to one of your family members or passengers. At the scene of the accident, if the police officer asks if you are injured or need medical treatment, it is better to err on the side of caution. It is better to say “I don’t know” than “No.”
Perhaps you have the admirable characteristic of being an optimist. You believe and hope that the immediate pain and soreness will go away in a day or two. Go to the doctor. At a minimum, you will receive reassurance from the doctor. You are entitled to recover as damages the costs of an examination, even if the examination reveals there are no injuries. If after the passage of time, you still suffer symptoms of an injury and only then seek medical attention, you will probably hear the argument that the delay in obtaining treatment is evidence that you were not hurt and that you only sought medical care as an afterthought, after you decided to bring a claim or file a lawsuit for your injuries.
If you need more information about a Social Security Disability/SSI, personal injury, EEOICPA, long or short-term disability, VA disability, Railroad Retirement Board disability, or a workers compensation matter, please contact the Law Offices of Tony Farmer and John Dreiser for a free case evaluation. We can be reached at (865) 584-1211 or (800) 806-4611 or through our website. Our office handles claims throughout East Tennessee, including Knoxville, Chattanooga, Kingsport, Bristol, Johnson City, Morristown, Maryville, Rogersville, Dandridge, Tazewell, New Tazewell, Jefferson City, Strawberry Plains, Sevierville, Gatlinburg, Loudon, Kingston, Halls, Maynardville, Crossville, Cookeville, Jamestown, Sweetwater, Lenoir City, Athens, Oak Ridge, Clinton, LaFollette, Lake City, Jacksboro, Bean Station, Cosby, Newport, White Pine, Mosheim, Wartburg, Sunbright, Pigeon Forge, and Deer Lodge.