Get Medical Treatment After a Car Accident

Male motorist with whiplash injury in car crash getting out of vehicle. Visual concept for a legal blog discussing seeking medical treatment even if you feel fine.

A car accident, even a relatively minor one, is a traumatic event. Thinking clearly can be challenging in the minutes and hours after a car crash, and you may not know what to do next. One of the most important steps is to seek medical treatment immediately, even if you feel fine. After a car accident, your health and well-being should be your primary concern. Seeing a doctor as soon as possible makes it easier to accurately diagnose and treat your injuries and increases the likelihood of a successful recovery.

Once you are on the road to recovery, you should meet with a personal injury lawyer to discuss your options to recover financial compensation for your injuries and other losses you may have experienced.

The personal injury lawyers at Muth Law, P.C., have more than four decades of experience representing people injured in car accidents throughout Michigan. Put our experience to work for you to help you recover the compensation you deserve.

Should You Seek Medical Treatment After a Car Accident?

Many people do not experience pain or discomfort immediately after a car accident. But, even if you do not think you were hurt, you should still see a doctor as a precautionary measure. Some injuries are not obvious. If you later discover you were injured, having an accurate record of your injuries can help if you pursue a claim for financial compensation.

Injuries After a Car Crash Are Not Always Obvious

When the human body experiences a traumatic event like a car accident, it releases adrenaline and endorphins that create the fight-or-flight response. The adrenaline and endorphin release generates higher energy levels that can mask the pain caused by your injuries. As a result, you may not realize you were seriously injured.

A doctor can examine you to identify any injuries you suffered. Some injuries, like soft tissue damage, internal bleeding, or traumatic brain injury, may not be immediately apparent. A doctor can diagnose your injuries and prescribe a treatment plan to minimize their long-term effect and prevent them from worsening.

A Doctor Can Help Prove the Cause of Your Injuries

During the examination, a doctor will document your medical condition. Having an accurate record of your injuries can make it easier to prove they were caused by the accident and not some other factor.

If you decide to file a personal injury claim to seek financial compensation for your injuries, your lawyer will use your medical records to establish the nature and extent of your injuries and that they were caused by the accident.

Who Pays Your Bills After a Car Accident?

Michigan’s auto insurance laws are intended to help people recover compensation for injuries they suffer in a car accident.

Michigan law requires that all Michigan drivers carry no-fault automobile insurance. No-fault auto insurance covers the cost of your medical bills, lost wages, replacement services, and damage to other people’s property.

Your no-fault auto insurance policy should include Personal Injury Protection (PIP) that will cover all reasonably necessary medical expenses with no maximum limit. PIP will also pay up to $20 per day in replacement services to cover the cost of routine household services you can no longer provide for your family.

If you are given a choice between primary and secondary insurance coverage for injuries suffered in a car accident, you should select PIP coverage as your primary coverage and use your health insurance as a secondary insurance policy. If your health insurance carrier pays more than they believe is reasonable, they can try to recover their costs from your car insurance policy in a process called “indemnification.”

How Do You Recover the Cost of Medical Treatment After a Car Accident?

There are specific steps you can take to recover financial compensation for medical treatment you received after a car accident.

  • Notify your car insurance company of the accident within 48 hours.
  • Contact the car accident lawyers at Muth Law as soon as possible. We will be by your side and guide you through the process.
  • Keep a record of all the doctors and other medical providers you see.
  • Keep all the medical records and discharge papers you receive.
  • Do your best to follow the doctor’s treatment plan.
  • Do not let your bills go to collections. We can help you avoid being sent to collections.

How Long Do You Have to File a Claim for Personal Injuries?

In Michigan, you generally have three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit seeking compensation for the personal injuries you suffered. However, there are exceptions, and you should contact a personal injury attorney as quickly as possible. Our personal injury lawyers can tell you exactly how long you have to make a claim.

Contact the Car Accident Injury Lawyers at Muth Law Today

Muth Law is based in Ann Arbor and proudly represents people injured in car accidents throughout Michigan. We handle most car accident injury cases on a contingency fee, which means you will never pay us a fee unless we recover money for you.

To learn more, contact Muth Law today to schedule an appointment to discuss your situation and how we can help. Call us anytime at 734-481-8800, email info@muthlawpc.com, or complete our online form.