Many victims in Phoenix feel confused after a truck accident. They must obtain information from the driver, contact work, arrange for a tow, determine who will pick up the children from practice, and possibly contact their insurance company. These ideas race through the victim’s mind, and they may shove their aching neck to the bottom of their list of concerns, but this is a mistake.
Seeking immediate medical treatment after a truck accident is crucial, but it’s equally important to have the right insurance coverage in place before any incidents occur. For those in the fast-paced expedited freight industry, having a comprehensive Hotshot Insurance plan can provide peace of mind and financial protection.
Some victims believe that they need not be concerned about their health if they do not have broken bones or gashes. However, taking care of your physical and psychological health should be your top concern following a truck accident, even if you have many other things on your mind. Seeking medical attention immediately following a car accident in Phoenix is critical for your health and a prospective personal injury claim. Continue reading to find out why.
Consistent Medical Records Can Increase the Strength of Your Claim—And Potentially Your Compensation
When you see a doctor, they will document your symptoms, clinical presentation, treatment suggestions, and limits. If you are in Arizona, Phoenix, this information can be used by any of the Phoenix truck accident lawyers to determine your losses, estimate your future medical needs, and assess your ability to return to work. Based on this information, your personal injury attorney can create an effective settlement strategy for your case and obtain the compensation you deserve.
Your Health Depends on It
Even if you do not believe you have been wounded, you should seek medical attention quickly following a truck accident to ensure your health. Notably, delays in therapy might have disastrous consequences, especially if you wait days or weeks before visiting the doctor.
Severe conditions, on the other hand, can take time to develop. First, your body is flooded with adrenaline after a truck accident, which might hide the earliest indications of your injuries. Second, some injuries, such as herniated discs and minor brain damage, do not manifest immediately. As a result, you should be on the lookout for increased pain or changing symptoms. Injuries that are frequently delayed or misdiagnosed include:
- TBIs (Traumatic Brain Injuries) are common in significant truck incidents. When the brain strikes the skull due to a decisive blow, sufferers may have internal bleeding, pressure building, bruised tissue, and broken blood vessels. Severe TBIs, if left untreated, can result in lasting damage such as coma, paralysis, or memory loss.
- Spine and back damage: Delayed back, shoulder, or spinal pain following a collision could indicate something more severe than whiplash or a strain. Debilitating pain and limited mobility can be caused by herniated disks, soft tissue injuries, and pinched nerves. The longer victims go without treatment, the worse their ailments will get.
- Internal Bleeding: Internal bleeding is a potentially fatal injury with symptoms that include slight abdominal pain and bruises. Bruising is frequently a deep purple color; other symptoms may include dizziness and fainting. Never think that everything you experience following a vehicle accident is fleeting or insignificant.
- Mental Health Issues:Stress and anxiety frequently follow a potentially life-threatening occurrence. Sometimes the psychological side effects are minor and go away quickly, but victims experience severe nervousness or post-traumatic stress disorder at other times. If not addressed promptly, what may begin as a subtle psychological reaction might evolve into a full-blown phobia or panic condition.
Visiting a Doctor Helps Prove the Validity of Your Claim
The fact that the negligent party caused you harm is at the heart of a personal injury claim. You cannot establish a personal injury claim if you cannot demonstrate that their negligent acts caused you harm. Insurance adjusters, judges, and juries all appreciate medical documents, particularly those gathered by doctors soon after your accident. Your emergency department documents should link your injuries to the truck accident and show their severity.
Unfortunately, the insurance company will look for inconsistencies in your medical records. Assume you have neck pain following a car accident and believe it will disappear. You tell your doctor about your other ailments at every post-accident doctor’s appointment but never mention the neck. Three months later, your neck ache has spread to your arm. You eventually seek care and learn that you require surgery. In these cases, a skeptical insurance adjuster may challenge your credibility and refuse to cover your neck injury.
Bottomline
Truck accidents are traumatic experiences. While you may have much on your mind following a car accident, safeguarding your physical and psychological health should be your top priority.