How Long Do You Have to Go to the Hospital After a Car Accident
Written by Matthew Weidinger
After a car accident, the chaos of the moment often overshadows one of the most important questions: How soon after a car accident should I seek medical attention? The short answer is as soon as possible. Not only is this critical for your health, but it’s also a major factor in the success of any personal injury claim you may pursue.
At Smith & Weidinger, PLLC, we help clients across Centennial, Denver, and Colorado navigate the aftermath of car accidents with clarity and confidence. As a dedicated personal injury firm, we emphasize the importance of immediate medical care, not just for your recovery, but also to protect your legal rights. Medical documentation plays a key role in the outcome of your case, and delays can seriously weaken your claim.
Legal Timeframes: When Should You Seek Medical Care?
Colorado law doesn’t mandate a specific number of hours or days you must seek medical care after a car accident. However, the general legal principle is clear: the sooner, the better.
In many personal injury cases, insurers and opposing attorneys scrutinize timelines closely. If you wait too long to go to the hospital or follow up with a doctor, they may argue:
- You weren’t really injured
- Your injuries weren’t caused by the accident
- You made your minor injuries worse by delaying treatment and not seeking immediate care promptly
While there is no formal deadline for seeing a doctor, we strongly recommend seeking medical attention within 24 to 72 hours of the crash. This timeframe supports your health and reinforces the credibility of your injury claim.
Health Implications of Delayed Symptoms After a Car Accident
One of the biggest misconceptions that many personal injury lawyers see car accident victims succumb to is the belief that if they don’t feel pain right away, they haven’t sustained a serious injury.
Delayed symptoms are extremely common. After an auto accident, your body experiences a surge of adrenaline and cortisol, which can mask the pain of the following injuries for hours or even days:
- Whiplash
- Concussions or traumatic brain injuries
- Internal injuries
- Spinal injuries
- Soft tissue damage
Many of these injuries may not show immediate symptoms. Ignoring these early signs can lead to complications, prolonged recovery, or permanent damage.
By visiting a hospital or urgent care facility promptly, you increase the chances of identifying and treating these issues early. Your medical provider can document findings even if symptoms seem minor, which could become vital evidence in your car accident claim later.
Legal Consequences of Delaying a Hospital Visit
From a legal standpoint, delaying your hospital visit can severely impact your ability to receive fair compensation. Here’s how:
- Insurance Pushback: Auto insurance companies seek any opportunity to deny or minimize a claim. If you wait too long to seek care, they may argue your injuries were caused by something unrelated or that you’re exaggerating to get a higher insurance claim.
- Reduced Settlement Value: Medical records are a cornerstone of personal injury claims. Delays make it harder to establish a clear link between the accident and your injuries, reducing the strength and value of your case.
- Credibility Issues: Insurance companies or juries may question your injuries if you didn’t think it was important to seek medical attention immediately.
At Smith & Weidinger, we regularly see cases in which early medical treatment made the difference between a denied insurance claim and a successful settlement.
The Importance of Medical Records and Documentation
Medical bills and documentation serve as evidence that may support your claim in several ways:
- Establishes causation between the accident and your injuries
- Outlines treatment plans, which can project long-term medical needs
- Quantifies damages, including bills, prescriptions, and specialist visits
- Highlights the severity of pain, limitations, or disability
We work closely with doctors, specialists, rehabilitation professionals, and medical professionals to collect and organize all relevant documentation. These records are key tools during negotiations with insurance companies or in court proceedings.
If you’ve already delayed care, don’t panic, but don’t wait any longer. The sooner you seek medical treatment and contact a personal injury lawyer, the more we can do to protect your rights.
Steps to Take After a Car Accident
If you’re involved in a car accident in Colorado, here’s a step-by-step guide to protect your health and legal claim:
- Call 911: Always report the accident. Even minor collisions should be documented with a police report.
- Seek Immediate Medical Attention: Visit a hospital emergency room, an urgent care clinic, or your primary care physician, even if you feel okay. Let medical professionals determine the extent of your injuries.
- Document Everything: Take photos of the accident scene, your vehicle, visible injuries, and any hazards (weather, road conditions, etc.).
- Follow Doctor’s Orders: Attend all follow-up appointments, take medications as prescribed, and complete therapy if recommended. Gaps in care can hurt your claim.
- Avoid Speaking to Insurance Adjusters Alone: Insurance companies may ask for recorded statements. Politely decline until you speak with an attorney.
- Contact Smith & Weidinger, PLLC: Let us handle the legal side so you can focus on recovery. We’ll advise you on what to do next and how to preserve your claim from day one.
How Smith & Weidinger, PLLC Can Help
As a client-first law firm serving Centennial and the greater Denver area, we know the days and weeks after a car crash can feel overwhelming. You’re in pain, trying to manage bills, and unsure of what steps to take next. We step in as early as possible to provide legal and logistical support. Here’s what we offer:
- Free consultations to help you understand your rights
- Help coordinating with medical providers for continued care
- Meticulous gathering of medical records and billing statements
- Aggressive negotiation with insurance companies to secure full and fair compensation
- Courtroom advocacy if your case requires litigation
Most importantly, we never take more in fees than our clients receive net, and we offer lower rates than many larger firms, because results and relationships matter more to us than high-volume turnover.
Protect Your Health and Your Case
You must seek prompt medical attention if you’ve been in a motor vehicle accident, even if you don’t feel injured. Your health comes first, but timely medical care lays the foundation for a strong legal claim.
Contact Smith & Weidinger, LLC, as soon as possible, and our legal team will help you pursue compensation.
Note: The information provided in this blog post has been compiled from publicly available and secondary sources. While we strive for accuracy, some details may become outdated or contain inadvertent errors. If you believe any information is incorrect or requires updating, please contact Smith & Weidinger so that we may review and make the appropriate corrections.
Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a solicitation for business. The photo used is not from the scene of the incident described. Viewing this content does not create an attorney-client relationship with Smith & Weidinger. If you have been injured in an accident, please seek immediate medical attention and then consult with a qualified attorney to discuss your legal rights and options.
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