You may have been in a car accident and thought you were unhurt. Then, a few days later, you notice some aches and pains. It is common after an accident to have pains and other symptoms that show up later on, even weeks later. Remember that an experienced personal injury attorney can help guide you through this process.
1. Consult a Doctor
The first thing you should do when you notice symptoms or pain is to see a doctor. The doctor will be able to help you with your injuries and will be able to tell you if they are related to the accident. In addition, if you need to file an accident claim later, you will have documentation showing that you saw a doctor as soon as you could.
2. Don’t Settle Your Claim
The other person’s insurance company might offer you money as compensation while asking you to sign a release. This means that you can’t claim any more money later. You need to wait for a while to make sure that additional medical problems don’t show up. If they do, signing the release will prevent you from making a claim for these new problems.
3. Get Tests Done
Your doctor should order appropriate medical tests for your condition and for possible injuries that could show up later. Don’t try to save money by skipping tests. They may show more injuries than you first suspected. Any tests will help you to document your claims, as well.
4. Make Notes of All Symptoms
From the time when you first notice something is wrong, keep notes of all your symptoms, pains, what was done by the doctor, medications and anything else related to your medical condition. If new symptoms show up, record them, too. Be sure to be specific, and date your notes. It may take quite some time for your claims to be processed, and you don’t want to forget important information.
5. Keep Good Records
Make sure you keep good records of everything that happens regarding the accident. Keep the records from the police accident report, the name and contact information of the other party and their insurance information, your medical records, your notes of symptoms and records of all your expenses related to the accident.
6. Don’t Make Statements to Insurance Companies
You should not make statements to any insurance company, even your own insurance company. Your insurance company does not have your best interests at heart. They are in business and are trying to save money. They may become responsible for paying for your injuries if the other party to the accident does not have adequate insurance.
You should, of course, report the accident to your insurance company right away. However, don’t give them a statement. Tell them that you would like to consult an attorney first.
7. Get an Attorney
If you are injured in an auto accident, especially if the injuries don’t show up right away, you should consult an attorney who is experienced in auto accidents. An attorney will make sure that you receive the compensation that you deserve.
Don’t worry about the fact that your injuries did not show up right away. If you follow these suggestions, you should not have any problem being reimbursed for your injuries.
