A few years ago, I was in a pretty serious car accident. During the aftermath, I became really familiar with a lot of different types of lawyers. I worked with personal injury lawyers, insurance lawyers, and many others. Perhaps the most important, though, was the estate planning lawyer. I was really young, and neither my wife or I had thought about starting a will. But the accident kind of scared us into it. What would happen if one of us were to die? Even when still in the hospital, I was working with the lawyer to draw up a will. Now, I have some peace and security about what the future will be like if something should happen to me. And I have a lot of experience working with various types of lawyers! The accident was kind of a blessing in disguise in that way.
If you're in a minor motorcycle accident during the holidays, you might put off seeing a doctor until after the holiday season ends. Although it's your right to forego treatment, it may not be in your best interest to do so. Even minor motorcycle accident injuries can cause health problems later on. Some of your injuries may not be as apparent as others, including organ and head injuries. Here's why you shouldn't put off or delay your medical treatment and what you may do instead.
Can You Have Hidden Injuries?
As with auto accidents, not all motorcycle injuries are easily seen or noted. Some injuries can be internal or occur inside the body. Internal injuries can be the especially dangerous if they occur in your liver, kidneys, lungs, and brain. These organs can tear, collapse, or bruise from the impact of your accident.
It's also possible for injuries to show up some time after an accident occurs. These are called delayed onset injuries. Delayed onset injuries can cause headaches, internal bleeding, pain, and inflammation in the organs and tissues they affect. Although the injuries can take some time to affect you, a doctor may detect signs of problems with X-rays and other diagnostic tools.
If you experience the problems above because you didn't see a doctor, the other driver's insurance company may not pay for your medical expenses. The insurer may say that you experienced the problems due to your own negligence or actions. Unless you have medical documentation of the injuries on hand, you may have a difficult time proving your insurance claim.
It's wiser and safer to seek medical attention immediately after your motorcycle accident. If you can't find a doctor right away, consult with an attorney.
What Should You Do Next?
A motorcycle accident attorney can send you to physicians who can diagnose and detect hidden injuries and signs of delayed internal injuries. Doctors may also use blood tests and other methods during your treatment. For example, CT scans can help detect signs of swelling, bleeding, and many other injuries in your brain. If the swelling has the potential to affect you in the future, physicians can document this information in your files.
After an attorney has the medical evidence or documents they need for your case, they can present it to the other driver's insurance company. The insurance company may contact the physicians in your file to confirm your injuries. Unless the insurance company wants to send you to its own doctors, you may expect a positive outcome for your case.
If you have other concerns about your accident or injuries, contact a motorcycle lawyer at a law firm, like The Jaklitsch Law Group, today.
Share7 December 2017
