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STEVE RAY LAW, PLLC

PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER

What to do after you're in a car accident

Medical Treatment: What You Do After a Crash Can Affect Your Future

Being involved in a car accident is often a very painful and traumatic experience. One moment you are driving down the road and then suddenly – often without warning – your car is hit by another vehicle.

The initial shock of the accident may leave you feeling dazed at the very least, even if there is no initial indication that you suffered a significant injury. But this doesn’t mean you were not injured. It simply means you may not be aware of the injuries you sustained.

While your initial response may be to refuse treatment at the scene of the accident, what you do next is likely to have a significant impact on your future.

All Accident Victims Should Seek Medical Treatment

The problem with accidents is that it is not uncommon for an accident victim’s adrenaline to increase to the point where it masks the physical pain he or she may be experiencing. Other victims might ignore subtle signs of injury because they feel the need to appear tough or they are so focused on leaving the scene of the accident as soon as possible so they can go home, collect their thoughts and spend time with loved ones.

Not all accident victims realize they have been hurt. Sometimes evidence of internal injuries, soft tissue injuries, traumatic brain injuries, concussions, whiplash or emotional problems from a car accident may not surface until days, weeks or even months later.

These are all reasons why you need to seek medical treatment either immediately following your accident or shortly thereafter.

How Do I Get Medical Treatment After an Accident?

Treatment for accident-related injuries can be obtained from a variety of sources. Accident victims can:

  • Call 911 to request paramedics to be dispatched to the scene.
  • Go to an emergency room, either by ambulance from the scene of the accident or go by yourself after the initial investigation has wrapped up.
  • Go to an urgent care center.
  • Make an appointment to see your family physician or other medical practitioner.

Whichever you choose, it is important that you get a thorough medical examination as soon as possible following the accident. A doctor can also help you document you injuries for any potential claim you may have for compensation.

Be sure to let the medical professional treating you know that you have been in an accident so he or she can look for signs of trauma.

How to Pay Medical Expenses From a Car Accident

If you have been injured in a car accident at the hands of a negligent driver, you may be able to recover compensation to pay your medical bills. Ideally, the at-fault driver’s insurance will be enough to cover the costs.

There are instances when the at-fault driver may have too little insurance or none at all. If this happens to you, you may be able to get your medical expenses paid by filing a claim with your own insurance provider to collect on your uninsured motorist/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. This type of coverage can also help pay your medical expenses in the event your injuries were sustained in a hit-and-run accident.

The Benefits of Hiring Legal Representation in Fort Collins

If you have been involved in an accident in or around the Fort Collins area, hiring an experienced accident lawyer can give you a significant advantage in your pursuit of financial compensation for injuries and other losses.

A skilled attorney can also help accident victims locate the right medical specialists to properly diagnose and treat their injuries. With a legal advocate on your side, you will be more equipped to determine your immediate accident-related expenses, as well as calculate future medical costs.

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Contact Our Colorado Car Accident Law Firm

Attorney Steve Ray is a former Marine Corps judge now fights for the rights of accident victims in Fort Collins and Northern Colorado. If you have been seriously injured in a car accident, he brings more than 35 years of legal experience and military discipline to pursuing your claim for compensation.

He will meet with you to discuss your case and, if a claim is possible, pursue the maximum financial recovery available. If we cannot recover money for you, you will pay nothing for our legal services.

Contact us today to discuss your case in a free consultation. We provide attorney services for those who have suffered a car accident here in Fort Collins and throughout Northern Colorado.

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