If you have been involved in a car accident while traveling in Pennsylvania, you should see a doctor as quickly as possible. This is true even if you don’t think that you were hurt in the crash. Doing so can make it easier to obtain a favorable outcome in a personal injury case, and it can also make it easier to diagnose any injuries that don’t necessarily present themselves right away.
Most injuries won’t present themselves for hours or days after a crash
In the first few hours after a crash, your body will be in a state of shock. During this period, it’s unlikely that you’ll feel much pain even if you have sustained a broken bone, concussion or other type of injury. Internal injuries may take days to present themselves, and if you wait to seek treatment, you could need surgery to fix them.
How does seeking treatment help with your case?
Seeking treatment after a car accident helps you make the connection between the crash and any injuries that you incurred in its aftermath. It can also help show that you incurred a financial loss as a result of another person’s irresponsible behavior. The presence of a financial loss is one of the key elements in proving that negligence took place. If you can’t prove that negligence occurred, you may not be able to win compensation in a personal injury matter.
In addition to compensation for medical bills, you may be entitled to compensation for lost wages and other damages. Generally speaking, you’ll have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. However, most car accident cases are resolved outside of court.