When you are injured in a car accident, you may not have a choice whether you go to an emergency room or an urgent care center. If the injuries you sustain in a car accident are severe, EMS will transport you to the emergency room unless you are coherent and deny transportation. Some people believe if they do not go to the emergency room after a car accident the failure to seek immediate medical attention could hurt their chance of recovery in an injury claim. While it is true that some insurance adjusters attempt to use a delay in medical treatment as a reason to deny a claim or undervalue a claim, refusing to go directly to the ER is not a complete bar to an injury claim.

The Pinder Plotkin Legal Team handles all car accident claims the same, regardless of whether you went to the emergency room or you saw a doctor at an urgent care facility. Our Maryland car accident lawyers and our team of legal professionals fight for your right to recover full compensation for all claims. We use the records from all your medical providers to substantiate the severity of your injuries to justify maximum compensation for your claim.

Call 410-525-5337 to schedule a free consultation with one of our Maryland car accident attorneys.

Reasons Why You May Want to Go to the Emergency Room After Your Car Accident

The most important thing to remember is that you need to seek medical attention as soon as possible after a car accident. If your vehicle was damaged in the car crash, you probably sustained physical injuries, even though you may feel “fine” immediately after the collision. Regardless of how you feel, you need to be checked by a doctor. If your condition is not life-threatening, you may choose to visit your family doctor or an urgent care doctor instead of going to the emergency room. The decision is a personal choice that only you can make for yourself.

However, there are several advantages to going to the emergency room after a car accident:

  • If an ambulance transports you from the accident scene, you may be seen quicker than if you walk into an urgent care facility;
  • On-site, same day MRI and CT facilities;
  • In-house laboratories for testing;
  • On-site pharmacy;
  • Access to specialists;
  • Full-service diagnostic testing and treatment;
  • You cannot be turned away from the emergency room; and,
  • Immediate availability of surgical facilities and surgeons.

We do not intend to downplay the quality care you can receive from an urgent care facility. However, most urgent care facilities are not equipped to handle certain types of emergencies. Therefore, if you suffer any of the following injuries in a car accident, the EMS personnel will likely advise you to go directly to an emergency room or EMS will transport you to the emergency room if you are unresponsive or unable to comprehend the severity of your injury.

Car accident injuries that typically warrant an emergency room visit include:

  • Loss of consciousness
  • Broken bones and fractures
  • Serious head injuries or brain trauma
  • Injuries to eyes and ears
  • Seizures
  • Serious burns
  • Deep cuts
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Abdominal pain or chest pain
  • Neck and back injuries
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Amputations
  • Paralysis, including numbness in the face, arms, legs, or hands
  • Uncontrolled bleeding
  • Repeated vomiting
  • Slurred speech

Can Urgent Care Facilities Treat Car Accident Victims?

Yes, many medical needs that require immediate medical attention but are not life-threatening can be treated at an urgent care facility. Therefore, if you have been in a car accident, but you did not go to the emergency room, you may visit an urgent care facility if you continue to experience pain or other symptoms in the days following the car accident. However, most people follow up with their primary care physician or a chiropractor, but if you do not have a primary care physician or a chiropractor, an urgent care facility can provide medical care and refer to specialists or the hospital if needed.

In most cases, urgent care centers treat everyday conditions such as ear infections, flu, bronchitis, animal bites, sore throat, urinary tract infections, mild burns, and minor cuts. They are not equipped to handle the trauma and severe injuries caused by significant car accidents.

Call a Maryland Car Accident Attorney for Help

The most important thing to remember after any car accident is that you need to be checked by a medical professional. Symptoms of serious injuries may not be present or detectable immediately following a car crash. Your physician can perform tests and detect symptoms that you may not associate with a severe injury.

Pay close attention to how you feel and any symptoms you develop after a car accident so that you can seek medical attention to prevent further injury. A delay in treatment could hurt your injury claim, so always err on the side of caution for your health and to protect your injury claim.

The Pinder Plotkin Legal Team can answer any questions you might have about the steps to take after a car crash or how to file an injury claim.

Contact Pinder Plotkin to schedule your free consultation with a Maryland car accident attorney. You may contact our law firm by calling our Parkville office at (410) 525-5337 or our Bel Air office at (410) 893-9111.

 

The information provided in this website is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as legal advice on any subject. The information contained in this blog is also subject to change and should not be relied upon. Contact the Pinder Plotkin Legal Team for a FREE consultation.

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