Why should I seek medical assistance after a car accident in New Mexico?

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Why Seeking Medical Assistance After a New Mexico Car Accident Is Essential 

Seeking medical assistance after a New Mexico car accident is critical; in fact, it’s more important than many people realize. It’s essential to prioritize seeking medical assistance after a New Mexico car accident to protect your health, identify the extent of your injuries, and help recover compensation related to the accident. Getting medical treatment immediately assures you the necessary care and empowers you with essential documentation to recover damages. Our experienced Albuquerque car accident lawyer team at Keller & Keller explain why getting medical care after an accident is crucial, no matter how minor you might think your injuries are. 

Establish the Connection Between Your Injuries and the Car Accident 

Getting medical care right away helps establish when you got hurt and creates a connection between the crash and any resulting injuries. If medical professionals document the relationship between the accident date and the injuries that follow, it can help establish that the accident did cause the injuries. This can help your attorney establish liability and fight for maximum compensation for your injuries and care. 

Get Medical Treatment to Reveal Hidden Injuries

After a New Mew Mexico car accident, you may be under an intense amount of physical and mental stress. Because of high adrenal levels and the flurry of activity that occurs in the aftermath of a car wreck, injuries might be masked or hidden. You may not feel the pain because of the adrenaline or not realize the extent of the injuries or complications. Injuries may not be obvious without X-rays, scans, or other tests that only medical professionals can provide. 

Getting medical help is one of the most important things to do after an auto accident. Some “invisible” injuries only diagnosed through medical testing can include: 

  • Sprains or strains
  • Other soft tissue injuries
  • Internal injuries and organ damage
  • Injuries to the spine and spinal cord, including herniated discs 
  • Concussions or traumatic brain injuries  (TBI)
  • Whiplash or whiplash-associated disorders (WAD) 
  • Shoulder and knee injuries
  • Pain, soreness, stiffness, or limited mobility that could be related to a variety of injuries
  • Mental or emotional problems related to the accident, including PTSD

Seeking care immediately helps prevent major medical emergencies because “silent” issues can be identified and treated sooner. 

Be Prepared for Follow-Ups and Be Aware of Potential Complications to Watch For 

Injuries can take a few days or up to a week to appear after an accident, but seeking immediate care means you know what to look for and when to follow up. Your doctor or medical team can point out signs and symptoms to look for after an accident. Be prepared for ongoing care or complications, including surgeries, physical therapy, or medications needed as a result of crash injuries. 

Verifiable Medical Documentation for New Mexico Car Accident Injuries Is Critical 

Seeding medical assistance after a car wreck protects your mental and physical health, but it’s also critical to protect your legal rights. 

Documenting medical care after a car accident: 

  • Allows for negotiation with insurance companies within proper time limits or filing a claim within New Mexico’s statute of limitations 
  • Shows a clear timeline, highlighting liability and causality between the injuries and accident
  • Shows general costs necessary for care
  • Identifies specialized treatments or ongoing care 
  • Helps support claims for lost wages and emotional or mental harm 
  • Supports punitive damages, if applicable to your case
  • Helps your New Mexico auto accident attorney create a strong case and fight for your fair recovery 

Keller & Keller Is Not Your Typical Law Firm

We know you have questions after a New Mexico car accident, and we are available 24/7. Our goal is to give you peace of mind that everything possible is being done to protect your legal rights while you focus on your physical recovery. You can see the case results our lawyers have achieved over the last 80 years, and we invite you to read our client reviews.

James R. Keller
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Partner at Keller & Keller