Do Victims Always Need Diagnostic Testing After a South Bend Car Crash?

After a car crash, you might feel fine and want to skip medical testing. However, not testing for injuries could become a serious mistake that causes your injuries to become worse over time.

If you have injuries after a car crash, visit a doctor’s office immediately and seek legal counsel from a licensed South Bend car accident attorney. Our firm can help you navigate the legal process and link injuries to your car crash.

Call to speak to one of our attorneys today. We do not charge any upfront costs or fees for our legal services and only get paid after we have secured your compensation.

Schedule a free consultation today: (574) 444-0741.

When Should I Get Medical Tests After a Car Accident?

Most victims wonder if they really need medical tests when they think they are feeling fine. However, getting a diagnostic test within 48 to 72 hours after a car accident is a good idea to rule out serious injuries that may not show symptoms. Skipping diagnostic testing could seriously impact your health and legal rights.

What Kinds of Medical Tests Do Doctors Use After Car Accidents?

After a South Bend car crash, doctors use specific diagnostic tests to identify both obvious and hidden injuries. Car crash victims should be mindful of the type of diagnostic tests they may need to take to be aware of their injuries.

• X-rays: Detect broken bones and fractures, identify spine misalignments and show joint locations
• CT (Computed Tomography) Scans: Detailed X-rays that prove brain injury diagnosis, internal organ damage and bleeding.
• MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): Identify soft tissue injuries, herniated discs and nerve damage
• Blood Tests: Help doctors check for blood loss levels, infection indicators and inflammation signs
• Specialized Tests: Doctors might order an EEG for brain function evaluation or vision and hearing assessments depending on symptoms.
• Follow-up Testing: Your doctor may recommend repeat imaging to track healing and physical function assessments.

It is important to note that your doctor will test you based on your injuries and symptoms. However, if you feel you should get other diagnostic tests, you should talk to your doctor.

What Hidden Injuries Can Medical Tests Find After Car Accidents?

Medical tests after a South Bend car crash often reveal serious hidden injuries that are not immediately obvious. If car crash victims decide not to go through any diagnostic tests, concealed health conditions can get worse and cause long-term complications, such as:

Brain Injuries

Even if you did not hit your head in a car accident, a diagnostic test might reveal minor traumatic brain injuries, microscopic brain bleeding and swelling that may have developed slowly. If there was severe impact during an accident, you may have a concussion with delayed symptoms or blood clots forming after blunt trauma force.

Spinal Damages

Imaging tests usually expose hairline fractures in vertebrae and herniated discs that may worsen over time. If your body jolted back and forth during a car accident, you may have spinal cord bruising. It is essential to get tested for spinal damage because these types of injuries are not visibly apparent.

Internal Organ Damage

Tests can detect life-threatening issues like slow internal bleeding and bruised or lacerated organs. If car crash victims were involved in a crush accident, they may have minor lung punctures. A lung puncture can occur from significant trauma or when heavy objects fall on someone.

Soft Tissue Problems

Advanced imaging tests may prove that a crash victim is suffering from deep muscle tears and ligament damage.

Vascular Injuries

Specialized tests may be needed to find small blood vessel tears and developing blood clots. This is likely to happen if doctors cannot diagnose you with a medical condition and need more tests to understand your condition better.

How Do Medical Test Results Help My Car Accident Case?

If you have a valid case and can pursue compensation for injuries, your medical test does more than protect your health. It strengthens your legal case in several ways.

Establishes Clear Documentation

Your medical test can provide official records of your injuries and detailed proof of injury severity. It also shows expert medical opinions to debunk insurance companies’ and opposing parties’ arguments that your injuries may not be severe enough.

Links Injuries to the Crash

Prompt testing helps to connect injuries directly to the accident. This can prevent any he says or she says statements that do not depict how your injuries happen. Also, it can prevent insurance companies from lowballing your claim due to a pre-existing condition.

Supports Compensation Claims

Test results justify claims for current medical expenses, future treatment costs and lost wages during recovery. You must incorporate the costs of your future medical expenses so that you are not left paying out of pocket for your medical bills.

Counters Insurance Company Tactics

Medical documents address any questions or confusion insurance companies may have about your claims. It explains to the insurance company why you need a specific claim amount to cover all your medical expenses.

Strengthens Expert Testimony

When medical experts review your case, test results can support their professional opinions. If you have ongoing medical needs, they can explain why you will need the insurance company to cover the continuing costs of your recovery.

Need Help After Your South Bend Car Accident? Contact Pfeifer, Morgan & Stesiak

Many crash victims skip diagnostic tests to avoid medical bills or because they think they do not have any injuries. That decision could put both your health and legal rights at serious risk.

After you visit a doctor for diagnostic tests, seek legal counsel from a trusted attorney. At Pfeifer, Morgan and Stesiak, we are here to help you determine if you have a valid case. During a free consultation, we can answer your questions and help you understand the legal process without any upfront costs. If we decide to represent your case, our firm does not charge any fees unless we secure a settlement for you.

Call our office today to speak to an attorney: (574) 444-0741.