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Should I Go to the Hospital After a Virginia Car Crash?
Should I Go to the Hospital After a Virginia Car Crash?
One question that nearly every Virginia driver involved in a car crash gets asked is whether they wish to be transported to the hospital for treatment for their injuries. This question is more complicated than it might appear. On the one hand, an unnecessary trip to the hospital can be a waste of time and money when all you might want to do is return to your place of employment and family. On the other hand, failing to seek medical treatment for your injuries in a timely manner is a popular way by which those responsible for causing a car wreck to avoid having to pay for the full measure of damages they cause. (The argument is that, by refusing to get medical treatment right away, the injured Virginia car crash victim contributed to the severity of his or her injuries.)
Hospital vs. Doctor’s Office: Where You Should Go
While a trip to the hospital is not always necessary, those involved in a car crash should be promptly evaluated by a medical professional as soon as possible after the accident. In some cases, it is obvious that the driver ought to go to the hospital. This includes situations in which:
- The victim is unconscious;
- The victim is bleeding profusely;
- The victim is suffering from obvious injuries that require medical attention (like broken bones or deep cuts).
But victims should also consider going to the hospital in the following situations:
- Where the victim hit his or her head or there is reason to believe the victim may have suffered a traumatic brain injury (such as confusion or memory loss);
- Where the victim loses sensation in his or her arms or legs, even if such sensation returns (this may indicate nerve damage);
- Where you cannot decide whether you need to go to the hospital or a doctor’s visit;
- Where the victim does not have a primary care physician with whom he or she can follow up for evaluation and treatment.
If there are no obvious injuries that require emergency treatment, if there is no reason to suspect a brain or spinal cord injury, and if the victim does have a primary care physician that he or she can see, a visit to the doctor’s office may be more appropriate. This appointment should (ideally) be made the same day as the accident happened or as close to the time of the accident as possible.
What To Say During Your Evaluation
When you arrive at the hospital or your doctor’s office to be evaluated, be sure to give the doctor or nurse a full and complete history of how the accident occurred. Stick to the facts and avoid giving measurements and estimates. If you are not certain about how the accident occurred, it is okay to say that you were involved in a car crash but don’t recall the exact details because of how fast it happened.
If you are ever in doubt about what to do following an accident, contact Hampton Injury Law for experienced guidance and counsel. We will help you take the steps you need to protect your legal rights and preserve your ability to pursue compensation. Call our office at (757) 838-1136 or contact us online today for help.
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*Virginia Lawyers Weekly January 30, 2023 edition
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