When you sustain injuries in a car accident, you should see a doctor so you can get a detailed diagnosis. Why? The most important reason is so you can get the proper treatment for your injuries. Without a diagnosis, no one else can know the full severity of the trauma sustained or how it might evolve over time. Additionally, if you want to pursue a personal injury case, diagnosis is a vital first step.
An injury diagnosis helps legitimize your LTD claim attorney and also helps a personal injury lawyer determine your legal options and assess your injury case. Here, we provide some insights into why injury diagnosis matters in any personal injury claim.
Don’t Assume You’re Okay
After a car accident, your body fills with adrenaline, so you may not feel much pain. You may assume your injuries are minor or manageable, but the pain may get worse over time. According to Lavent Law, an award-winning personal injury law firm, car accidents are the most common cause of neck and lower back pains – some of the injuries that accident victims sustain.
These are serious injuries that may not be experienced immediately after an accident. You may experience pain after a few days or even a week. Even minor systems that don’t seem serious can later develop into a chronic problem. Never assume you’re okay until you’ve seen a doctor. Share the details of the accident and any issues or pain you experience so you can get the correct diagnosis and recommended treatment.
If You Have a Diagnosis, Your Pain is Real
Each year, around three million Americans sustain nonfatal injuries in vehicle crashes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Despite the type of injuries sustained, even with the feeling of pain or tingling after an accident, you can’t file an injury claim without a doctor’s diagnosis.
If you have a correct diagnosis, then your pain is real. With a doctor’s report on the extent of injuries you have, it’s more difficult for the defendant in your personal injury case to argue that the pain doesn’t exist. You have a stronger claim with an official medical diagnosis and your doctor’s opinion matters in the eyes of the court.
A Proper Diagnosis is Vital for Filing a Claim
When a doctor diagnoses your injuries after an accident, he or she can help you determine whether your injury is a short-term or long-term disability and how soon you can get back to work. These details are vital when filing a personal injury claim. When a lawyer evaluates your injury claim, they can use the diagnosis to compare your case to similar cases and assess the damages.
Every detail in the diagnosis will play a role in helping your lawyer develop a better sense of how successful your injury claim may be, in case it goes to trial. The correct diagnosis helps your lawyer estimate your prognosis, including your recovery time. With all the facts, your lawyer can ensure you get the compensation you deserve for medical expenses and pain and suffering.
Conclusion
Getting a correct diagnosis sooner rather than later is the best way to ensure you get the treatment you need after sustaining injuries in an accident. It’s also crucial for your personal injury case. If you tough it out and wait to seek a diagnosis, the defendant’s insurance company and the court will assume that you didn’t take your injuries seriously.
If you’re not serious about your wellbeing, the court will see no reason to award you any damages. Seeking medical help the same day after sustaining injuries, or even earlier, is the best thing you can do for your case. Once you get a diagnosis, speak to your lawyer.