Car Accident Attorney in Long Island: Why Medical Attention Post Crash Is Urgent [Video Q&A]

At Matera & Manley, our attorneys regularly see clients make certain mistakes after an accident. One of the most common mistakes is failing to seek medical attention after a crash because they feel fine or have only minor aches and pains. Although we certainly hope that’s the case, it’s not at all unusual for more serious injuries to appear in the days that follow. When you don’t seek medical care immediately following a crash, you risk these injuries worsening. Moreover, you also create an avenue for an insurer to push back and argue that the crash did not actually cause your injuries. As an experienced car accident attorney in Long Island, Michaelangelo Matera emphasizes the importance of seeking medical attention after a car accident.

Car Accident Attorney in Long Island Explains Delayed Pain

In this video, Matera breaks down how delayed pain plays a significant role in crash claims.

It’s not uncommon for patients to suddenly notice more serious injuries 48 or even 72 hours after a motor vehicle accident. This is because you may not feel the extent of your injuries right away. Right after a crash, adrenaline and endorphins can blunt pain and make you feel “fine” immediately after the incident. Soft-tissue injuries, whiplash, spinal cord damage, and even brain injuries may not fully announce themselves until later.

Let’s look at the example of whiplash, which is caused by a sudden back-and-forth motion of the neck following an impact, such as a crash. Whiplash can cause neck sprain, strain, or damage. But you might not notice the severity of these injuries when your adrenaline is high. In the hours or days that follow a crash, you might notice symptoms like neck pain, dizziness, and numbness in the arms.

When injuries go untreated, you may face an increased risk of lasting complications.

For those reasons, you should always make sure to get checked out by a doctor or at the local emergency room. It’s critical to be sure there’s nothing more serious going on that wasn’t immediately apparent right after the accident.

Why Prompt Medical Attention Supports a Stronger Car Accident Claim

Taking swift action to seek medical attention after a crash can ensure your safety. However, it also strengthens your claim itself. This is because medical records help establish causation.

Prompt treatment creates a timeline for connecting the crash to your injuries. It makes it harder for insurance companies to argue that something else caused your crash.

Medical records also strengthen your claim by showing the severity of your injury and documenting the extent of your treatment needs and recovery timeline. A car accident attorney in Long Island can compile your medical records and treatments to argue for a larger settlement.

By documenting the extent of your injuries, you’re helping your car crash lawyer build a more comprehensive personal injury claim that better matches the way you were hurt.

How You Should Pay for Medical Care While a Case Is Pending

Personal injury claims often take months or longer. A natural question many clients have is how to pay for medical care while their claim is being processed. In the following video, Matera recommends some ways to pay for medical care in the meantime.

Options for Medical Coverage

There are many different ways that you can cover medical bills while your case is pending. The first line of defense is to use no-fault benefits. You must file with the correct insurer as soon as it’s reasonable to do so. You also need to provide written notice of the claim within 30 days of the accident unless you have a valid excuse for late filing. The insurer you file with depends on the facts of the accident. For instance:

• If you were a passenger or driver in a motor vehicle, you would file a no-fault claim with your own auto insurer in most cases.
• If you were injured as a pedestrian, you would file a claim with the insurer of the vehicle that struck you.

If the vehicle was uninsured or no-fault insurance is otherwise unavailable, there’s still a way to get coverage. New York State offers a fallback option: the Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation (MVAIC). This is a nonprofit safety net program that provides coverage when no other auto insurance is available. However, deadlines and processes are dictated by MVAIC. You typically must report the accident to the police within 24 hours to preserve eligibility for MVAIC purposes.

If no-fault coverage is unavailable or exhausted, you can use your health insurance if it applies. Figuring out what coverage options you have available can be tricky. That’s why you should reach out to a car accident attorney in Long Island as soon as possible after a crash. The attorneys at Matera & Manley provide personalized guidance to best suit your circumstances and case.

Schedule a Free Consultation With a Car Accident Attorney in Long Island

After a car crash, seek medical attention right away, even if you feel fine. Delayed symptoms can sneak up on you in the days that follow a crash. Moreover, seeking medical attention helps a car accident attorney in Long Island build a successful claim on your behalf. You can pay for medical care using no-fault benefits or the state safety net if no-fault coverage is unavailable. You can also use your health coverage if it’s available.

At Matera & Manley, our attorneys have a passion for justice and a track record of success representing crash victims. Book a free consultation.