Medical exams post-crash protect those without health insurance

One of the most important ways of protecting yourself after a car crash is to clarify what consequences it created as soon as possible. For those who may have injuries, this step requires a medical evaluation. Even if you check yourself for warning signs of an injury at the scene of the wreck, you could easily overlook something.

Between delayed-onset symptoms and the chemicals your body releases to protect you in times of stress, you could fail to notice at first that you have a serious injury. Some people hurt in car crashes that were not their fault still choose not to go to the doctor because they don’t have health insurance.

Especially if there’s a possibility of serious injury, seeing a doctor after a crash can help you protect yourself financially.

If the injury is from the wreck, make car insurance pay

Whether you have a traumatic brain injury (TBI) from hitting your head on the side window

during the crash or a hairline fracture in your arm, you may need thousands of dollars of medical treatment to recover from your crash injuries. You may also not realize you have those injuries until the next day or even later without proper medical evaluation. TBIs, for example, often don’t produce major symptoms for days, if not weeks.

When you don’t have health insurance, you would have to pay for any medical care you need out of pocket. However, if you see a doctor shortly after the crash, you can potentially make a car insurance claim for that examination and any treatment the doctor recommends. The driver who caused the wreck should provide you with bodily injury liability coverage to pay for your medical treatment and also your lost wages.

Without medical records, a future claim will be difficult

If you don’t take the time to talk to a doctor and get the diagnostic support you require, you may spend the rest of your life coping with lingering symptoms from an untreated or poorly treated injury. Every driver has insurance for a reason, and you shouldn’t have to worry about absorbing the cost of a crash on your own.

Understanding your rights and the basics of how car insurance works can help you feel empowered for your own protection after a motor vehicle collision.