Red Flags After a Car Accident

Your actions matter after you have been injured in a car accident, both in pursuing your injury claim and taking care of your health. The car accident lawyers at Schauermann Thayer are here to help you throughout the legal process. 

Car accident injuries do not always manifest themselves at the scene of the accident. Some people may only begin to show symptoms in the days following, and such symptoms and injuries can worsen without prompt medical care. At the same time, the insurance company may also try to take steps that could undermine your potential claim. You must be proactive and look for these red flags after a car accident, both for your overall health and your injury claim. 

Schedule a free case review with the car accident lawyers at Schauermann Thayer, and we can work to protect your legal rights. We will investigate your situation and explain your options and path forward in the legal process.

Be Vigilant for Signs of a Physical Injury

You need to be extremely concerned with your health after a car accident, even if you do not think that you are hurt. Traumatic events such as car accidents can result in injuries that present with delayed onset or realization of symptoms. Examples include:

• Whiplash
• Internal injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries

You never quite know what injuries may be lurking beneath the surface as a result of a collision. For example, if you feel dizzy and nauseous in the days after a car accident, it could be a sign that you have suffered a traumatic brain injury. If you experience worsening pain in your neck and back, you may have sustained a whiplash injury. Bruising on your body and pain could be an indication of an internal injury.

Always act out of an abundance of caution after a car accident, and err on the side of being safe in deciding whether to seek medical help. You may even consider seeing your doctor in the days after an accident solely to confirm that you have not been injured. In a best-case scenario, you would get a clean bill of health. There are also times when you should seek emergency care for your injuries right away. Take affirmative action to thoroughly assess your body and health following a car accident.

Waiting too long to get medical help could make your medical condition worse. It could also give the insurance company an opening to claim that you did not take steps to mitigate your own damages by promptly seeing a doctor.  The insurance company may also try to assert that your injuries aren’t serious or that you weren’t injured at all. This could have a negative impact on the insurance company’s evaluation of your claim.

Be on the Lookout for Insurance Company Communication

One of the biggest red flags to be mindful of following a car accident is communication from the other driver’s insurance company. When the other driver’s insurance company tries to engage you, they may try to take advantage of your condition and undercut your legal rights and fair compensation. For example, they may request that you give a recorded statement or sign documents that allow them to access your medical records. The insurance company wants to have something that they can use against you and they often aim to pay as little as possible for your damages.

The insurance company may also try to contact you and offer to settle your claim quickly after a car crash, even before you have had the opportunity to fully assess your injuries and damages. This is especially true when you are not yet represented by a car accident lawyer. The insurance company knows that you are in a vulnerable position and they may attempt to persuade you into accepting an offer that they know is less than the value of your claim. 

Contact a Washington Car Accident Law Firm

You can learn what steps you need to take after a car accident when you contact a Washington car accident lawyer at Schauermann Thayer. Schedule a free initial consultation with us by visiting our website, or by calling us today at 360-695-4244.