If you’re asking this question, the chances are that you did not need an ambulance ride or emergency trauma care after your truck accident. But even if your injuries don’t seem severe, you MUST see a doctor right now to ensure that you are not suffering from any hidden injuries and to protect the claim you may be planning on filing against your own insurer or the truck driver’s.
The Risk of Hidden Injuries and Delayed Symptoms After a Truck Accident
Truck crashes involve the clash of thousands of pounds of plastic, glass, and metal at speeds that the human body simply is not made to handle. If you feel discomfort or pain at all after a truck accident, you must get medical treatment as soon as possible. Even if you do not feel any symptoms, you must still get yourself checked right away.
The human body reacts automatically to stressful events by releasing a flood of hormones that can increase reaction time and awareness and dull pain. In most cases, it could take a couple of hours for your hormone levels to become normal again. So what may seem like a simple bump to the head may actually be something more serious, such as a traumatic brain injury that, if left untreated, can be fatal.
You might not even realize how serious your injuries are until they’ve become more severe. Likewise, the nature of certain injuries might mean that some symptoms won’t manifest for days or weeks, in some cases, even months, depending on the location, severity, and type of injury.
This is why you should never ignore pain or any symptom of a possible injury after a truck accident. Head to the hospital right away so you will have a medical record of your visit and your condition, which is particularly vital for injuries that get worse over time. This medical record will make it easier to prove that you sustained your injuries in the truck accident.
The Risk of Having Your Claim Denied
If you delayed or failed to seek medical help for days or weeks following the truck accident, your insurance provider (if you have PIP) or the truck driver’s insurer may try to dispute your claim. The insurer may claim that something else caused or aggravated your injuries, which means that they are not covered. Put simply, the longer you seek treatment, the easier it will be for the insurer to deny your injury claim and harder for you to secure compensation.
Speak to an Experienced West Palm Beach Truck Accident Lawyer Now
If you have been injured in a truck accident and need guidance filing a claim against the liable party and securing the compensation you deserve, reach out to Rosenthal, Levy, Simon & Sosa right away. You can speak to our West Palm Beach truck accident lawyer to learn more about your case and options for financial recovery. Fill out our online form or call our office at 561-478-2500 to arrange your free case evaluation.