You should definitely go to the ER after a car accident, since you could suffer many injuries that don’t show up right away. By going to a hospital emergency room or urgent care center, you could prevent minor injuries from becoming life-threatening ones.
Let’s examine more about the question, “Should I go to the ER after a car accident?” including how it can protect your legal rights. You could be eligible to seek compensation for your medical bills from the other driver when you work with a Greenville car accident lawyer from Smith Jordan Law.
What symptoms mean you should go to the emergency room right away?
Car accident injuries can require emergency medical care to prevent serious conditions. The following symptoms mean you should get help immediately:
- Dizziness, fainting, or losing consciousness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Blurred or double vision
- Difficulty breathing
- Sudden hearing loss
- Sharp pain in any part of the body
- Blood or clear fluid leaking from your ears or nose
- Abdominal swelling
- Numbness, tingling, or paralysis
- Difficulty walking or using your hands and arms
If you have any of these, begin by seeking medical attention from paramedics at the scene of the auto accident. They may transfer you to the ER by ambulance for further diagnosis and treatment.
What if you feel fine after a car accident?
Even if you’re feeling fine after an auto accident, it’s smart to visit a physician as soon as possible. They can examine you to make sure that you are okay, and to establish a record of your injuries related to the crash.
Is urgent care enough after a car accident?
Urgent care centers can be helpful for those injured in car accidents, but they don’t replace an emergency room at a hospital. In many instances, the urgent care team will evaluate your injuries and then advise you to visit the ER for a full exam and diagnosis.
Why is seeking medical attention important for your injury claim?
Insurance companies often try to equate medical treatment with injuries. If you are injured, but don’t seek medical care, the insurance company will often try to argue that you weren’t really hurt, or that you were hurt by something else instead of the crash as a way of denying or reducing your claim settlement. If you have medical records and reports of your injuries soon after the accident, it’s harder for them to push back on your demands.
What injuries often show up hours or days after a crash?
The most common injuries that appear soon after a car accident include:
- Head injury, such as to the face, eyes, or mouth
- Head trauma, such as traumatic brain injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Internal organ damage
- Nerve injury, which can lead to numbness or paralysis
Car accident injuries in South Carolina are very common, according to the South Carolina Department of Public Health Injury Data Dashboard. In 2023, the number of emergency room visits related to motor vehicle accidents was 1534.8 per 100,000 people across the state. In Greenville County, it was 1455.9 per 100,000 people.
Can going to the ER help protect your legal rights?
Yes, it can, since South Carolina is an at-fault state for auto insurance. All drivers must carry minimum amounts of liability insurance to pay for hurting others in accidents. You can also buy optional coverage for yourself, such as comprehensive, collision, or personal injury protection (PIP) policies.
Insurance adjusters may try to force blame on your shoulders. You can use evidence and a skillful car accident attorney to fight back by establishing how your injuries resulted from the other driver’s negligence.
Connect with a Greenville car accident lawyer about your injuries
At Smith Jordan Law, we treat you with compassion, respect, and dignity while helping you handle your Greenville car accident claim. We’re at your side every step of the way and will go to trial to obtain maximum compensation when necessary.
To learn more about who we are and how we can help you, contact us to schedule your free consultation by calling (864) 343-2222.