Why You Should Always Seek Medical Attention After an Accident

After an accident, your first instinct may be to brush it off and move on with your day. You might think, “I’m a little sore, but I’m okay. I don’t need to see a doctor.” But here’s the truth: failing to seek medical attention could be one of the biggest mistakes you make—not just for your health, but for your personal injury claim.

At Fitch & Stahle Law Firm, we’ve seen countless clients in South Sioux City, Sioux City, and across Nebraska and Iowa suffer long-term consequences because they waited too long to get checked out. Whether it’s a car crash, slip and fall, or workplace injury, getting a prompt medical evaluation is crucial for your recovery—and your legal case.

1. Not All Injuries Are Immediately Visible

Your body is equipped with an amazing system for handling trauma: adrenaline. After an accident, your adrenaline levels spike, which can mask pain and symptoms for hours—or even days. You may feel fine at the scene, only to wake up the next morning unable to turn your neck or struggling to walk.

Some of the most serious injuries aren’t immediately obvious:

Concussions or traumatic brain injuries

Whiplash

Soft tissue injuries

Internal bleeding

Spinal injuries

Organ damage

These conditions can worsen quickly if left untreated. A doctor can identify hidden injuries early and start the necessary treatment to prevent long-term damage.

2. Medical Records Are Key Evidence in Your Injury Case

In personal injury claims, medical documentation is everything. If you delay getting checked out, insurance companies may argue that:

You weren’t really injured

Your injuries weren’t serious

Your injuries were caused by something else

The longer you wait to seek care, the harder it is to link your injuries directly to the accident. Even a 24–48 hour delay can be used against you.

When you visit a doctor or emergency room promptly after your accident, you create a clear paper trail that connects your symptoms to the event. This record becomes critical evidence in your claim for compensation.

3. Insurance Companies Are Looking for Excuses

Whether you're dealing with your own insurer or the at-fault party’s provider, understand this: insurance companies are in the business of paying out as little as possible. One of their favorite tactics is to argue that:

“If you didn’t see a doctor right away, you must not have been hurt.”

Don’t give them that opportunity. When you seek immediate medical attention and follow all treatment recommendations, you take away one of their most powerful defenses.

At Fitch & Stahle, we’ve negotiated countless claims where medical records made the difference between a denied case and a six-figure settlement.

4. Delaying Treatment Can Worsen Your Condition

Beyond the legal and insurance angles, there’s your actual health to consider. Untreated injuries don’t just go away—they get worse.

A minor back ache today could become a herniated disc tomorrow. A small bump on the head could develop into serious cognitive problems. The earlier you catch and treat an issue, the better your chances of making a full recovery.

Doctors can also help prevent complications by referring you to specialists, ordering imaging, or recommending physical therapy—all of which help both your healing and your legal case.

5. Consistency Matters in Your Claim

Getting checked out once isn’t enough—you need to follow through on treatment. Insurance companies look at your entire medical history post-accident, and they’ll question gaps in care or missed appointments.

To protect your health and claim:

Attend all follow-up appointments

Take prescribed medications

Complete physical therapy

Keep detailed notes on pain and progress

If you stop treatment early or ignore medical advice, your compensation could be significantly reduced—even if your injuries are valid.

6. Documentation Strengthens Pain and Suffering Claims

If you’re pursuing compensation for pain and suffering, you’ll need more than just a complaint of “I don’t feel right.” You need documented evidence from licensed healthcare professionals.

Medical records help show:

The severity of your injury

The duration of your suffering

The impact on your daily life

Your prognosis and long-term limitations

This is especially important in Nebraska and Iowa, where personal injury settlements must be backed by objective medical findings. Without a paper trail, you may be limited to only recovering out-of-pocket expenses.

7. Local Medical Providers Understand Injury Claims

When you visit local hospitals, chiropractors, or physical therapists in the South Sioux City / Sioux City area, many of them are familiar with personal injury documentation. They understand how to:

Provide detailed notes about the injury

Document cause and impact

Refer to appropriate specialists

Work with your attorney’s office

At Fitch & Stahle Law Firm, we regularly coordinate with local providers to ensure your care is documented properly and timely—setting your claim up for success.

Let Fitch & Stahle Help You Protect Your Health and Rights

Your first priority after an accident should be your health. Your second should be calling an experienced personal injury attorney who can guide you through the next steps.

At Fitch & Stahle, we’ll help you:

Find appropriate medical providers

Understand what documentation matters

Protect your rights with the insurance company

Build a strong, evidence-backed claim for compensation

We represent clients throughout South Sioux City, NE, Sioux City, IA, and the broader Siouxland region. Our legal team is licensed in both Nebraska and Iowa, and we offer free consultations with no fees unless we win your case.

📞 Call us now at 402-494-3012
🌐 Schedule online at fitch-stahlelaw.com