What should you do if you are in a car accident in Shepherdsville, Bullitt County, or anywhere in the Commonwealth of Kentucky? Most people don’t realize that one of the most important things to do immediately following any vehicle collision, regardless of the speed of the vehicles involved, is to have a thorough medical examination within 72 hours of the accident – even if you think you aren’t injured at all.
My name is John Schmidt, and after more than 25 years as an attorney here in Shepherdsville, I have heard it many times: “Why do I need to see a doctor? I’m okay…”
The body absorbs a lot of energy in a collision. You may feel practically okay after a car accident for a few days or weeks. Next thing you know, you are in bed and unable to move due to herniated disks in your neck and back. This is quite common, and many injuries take weeks or even months before you experience any symptoms, let alone the type that interferes with work or the quality of your life. The body is an amazing creation that works to lessen your pain or awareness of any injury.
You don’t have to suffer a loss of consciousness or even a concussion to experience a brain injury. Most car impacts from any angle cause the head to hit fixed objects within the car, from the headrest to the frame or window, from the steering wheel to the windshield. Head injuries can literally take weeks or even months before you begin to experience any symptoms.
Fortunately, recent advancements and blood testing help doctors and emergency physicians to identify and diagnose mild to serious injury to your brain due to the G-forces of the impact.
If you are in a car accident in Shepherdsville or anywhere in the greater Louisville area, the risk of a hidden injury to the neck and spine is actually relatively high. Small, liquid-filled pads known as “discs” cushion the vertebrae in your neck and spine. These delicate but important protectors are highly susceptible to injury, even in relatively minor or low-speed impacts. Herniation, small tears in these discs, are a common injury in any vehicle-related collision. Unfortunately, it can take several weeks and even months before the fluid leaks out of these pads enough for you to experience minor pain, followed shortly after by disability and bed rest.
You walked around, feeling alright for several weeks after the accident, and all of a sudden, you are on your back in immense pain and unable to work, let alone manage the basics of everyday life.
If you do not visit an ER, urgent care, trauma doctor, or even your own physician within 72 hours after you are in a car accident, you can actually give up the ability to submit what otherwise would have been a valid personal injury claim to recover for your medical bills (past, present and future) as well as lost wages and fair and just compensation for having to suffer your injuries and recover from them.
The insurance company will say, “You did not even go to see a doctor after the accident, so you must have injured yourself somewhere else, and you’re trying to use the car accident as an excuse.” Unfortunately, it may be much more difficult or downright impossible to pursue what should have been a valid personal injury claim.
Second, if you are in a car accident in Shepherdsville, the greater Louisville area, or throughout the Commonwealth of Kentucky, you need to know the insurance company of those at fault has one job: get you to settle for the lowest amount as quickly as possible. It is not in your best interest to speak with any insurance representative, even your own, until you have talked to a personal injury attorney from the Law Offices of John Schmidt & Associates, PLLC.
We invite you to contact us via e-mail, schedule an appointment or call us today at (502) 509-1490 to get the important advice and counsel required to protect your personal injury claim and achieve full and fair compensation for having to endure and recover from your injuries.