If you were able to pick yourself up after a wreck, you might think that scheduling a medical assessment is unnecessary. After all, save for a few cuts, scrapes, and bruises, you may feel completely fine.  

However, with little protection in a collision, pedestrians often suffer serious impact injuries that might not immediately show any symptoms. Adrenaline could be masking the symptoms of something fatal. Left unchecked, some conditions can lead to life-altering health complications. 

As such, you should always schedule a doctor’s appointment after leaving the accident scene. Taking this step will not only help ensure that a potentially serious condition doesn’t go unchecked, but undergoing a comprehensive medical assessment can also help show opposing parties that you took your recovery seriously. 

Let’s look at a few more reasons why you should never forego a doctor’s visit after a collision: 

Tie Your Injuries to the Wreck 

Having a doctor’s visit on record within just a few days or—preferably—hours after the collision will make it easier to connect your condition to the incident. Delaying this appointment could open the door for disputes because the insurer and other opposing parties will have room to argue that you suffered your injuries in a different incident as the date of your doctor’s visit doesn’t correlate with the date of the accident. Additionally, the claims adjuster could also assert that your condition isn’t as serious as you are claiming as you didn’t require immediate care.  

Demonstrate That You Took Your Recovery Seriously 

Seeking prompt care will show the insurer that you prioritized your health from the start. Additionally, you should make sure to follow your treatment plan closely as this will help you avoid disputes over failure to mitigate damages.  

If the claims adjuster discovers that you ignored your doctor’s orders at any point during your recovery, they may challenge your case. If you believe your healthcare providers are being overly cautious by, for instance, telling you to book time off work to let your injuries heal, there is no harm in getting a second opinion. 

Expedite Your Recovery 

The sooner you start receiving treatment, the sooner you should reach maximum medical improvement (MMI). Attorneys usually advise their clients to wait until this point in their recovery before accepting a settlement offer as you probably won’t be ambushed by any additional treatment costs or other losses. Agreeing to a settlement before reaching MMI could leave you with a payout that doesn’t account for some of your damages if you’re later lumped with any unanticipated expenses. 

Speak to a Pedestrian Accident Attorney in California Today 

If you were struck by a motorist, visiting the doctor is just one of many important steps you will need to take in order to recover compensation for your injuries. At Harris Personal Injury Lawyers, our legal team can help guide you through the claims process, advising you of your role and responsibilities at every stage of proceedings. 

We can also provide tenacious representation from the first day until the final verdict. Contact us today at 1-800-GO-HARRIS or head over to our Contact Page to pencil in a free case review with a California pedestrian accident attorney.