After a serious accident, you must not assume you are not injured. As your body is in a state of shock during an accident, the adrenaline masks your pain. Once the adrenaline rush wears off, you will then feel the pain and other symptoms of an injury. A lot of soft tissue and brain injuries may take hours or even days to manifest. But even if symptoms have a slow onset, you can still face significant pain, hefty medical bills, and other losses. Because of this, you need a Las Vegas personal injury lawyer who can help you pursue monetary compensation that reflects all of your losses.
Medical Documentation Matters when Recovering Damages
Your medical records from the accident date and thereafter help establish the injuries you have sustained. Also, medical bills demonstrate the financial cost of the accident and your injuries. Such documentation proves the validity of your medical complaint and shows why you need the responsible party to compensate you.
Documentation regarding your accident injuries, medical treatment, and rehabilitation offers your attorney concrete evidence that can they use when arguing your case to recover damages for you. Meanwhile, insufficient documentation will result in the insurance company reducing your settlement. Insurance adjusters depend on software for calculating settlements according to estimates and averages for different injury costs. Such software generates very low numbers, which means you get paid less than you deserve. Your lawyer will use your medical documentation to push for a reasonable payout that shows the actual costs.
Seeking Immediate Medical Attention
Ideally, you should get a medical examination and start treatment on the date the accident took place. At least, you must be checked by a physician in the first 72 hours of the accident. But this timeline may be constrained, so it may not be possible to get an appointment with your primary care doctor. So, you may want to seek medical attention at an urgent care facility or emergency room. Make sure to secure copies of medical records from your doctor before you leave their office.
Follow Your Doctor’s Orders
Aside from seeking medical care as soon as possible, you must follow the treatment plan your doctor has established for you. Not complying with your medical treatments, medications, and therapies can make you vulnerable during settlement negotiations. An insurance company may argue that you are recovering longer than necessary, which costs more since you fail to mitigate your damages. To stay compliant with the medical orders of your doctor, you must fill your medication prescriptions, attend medical appointments, use recommended medical devices, and take a rest.
