Pines Salomon Personal Injury Lawyers | April 7, 2025 | Car Accidents
It’s vital to get medical care immediately after a car crash, but how long do you have to go to a doctor after a car accident? The answer not only depends on the severity of your injuries, but it may also be based on what the insurance company requires. If you don’t meet their guidelines, they may resist accepting or paying your compensation claim.
You Should See a Doctor Immediately After Any Car Accident
If you are in a minor wreck, you may think you are unharmed, yet wake up the next morning sore or in pain. Understanding what happens to your body after a car accident means accepting that the soreness could actually be a symptom of whiplash, spinal injury, or internal damage.
If you wait too long to get medically evaluated after a wreck, you could overlook serious conditions or injuries that get much worse. The catch is that you must see your doctor within 24-72 hours to effectively connect your injuries to the car accident. Otherwise, the insurance company may claim that you were hurt in some other way that was not related to the crash.
There’s no California law requiring you to see a doctor before making a claim, but the California Department of Insurance does recommend doing so after a crash. You should also get the other driver’s contact and insurance details to report the crash to your auto insurance provider.
How Insurance Works in California
California requires all drivers to carry liability insurance to pay for injuries and property damage they cause to others in a crash. When you file a claim against another person’s policy, your experienced car accident attorney helps you gather evidence, speak to witnesses, engage experts, and negotiate a fair settlement. They can also present medical records showing that the accident directly caused your injuries.
Regardless of what kind of insurance you have, the company will expect you to see a doctor as soon as possible for an accurate diagnosis that ties your injuries to the accident.
Evidence to Gather From Visiting Your Doctor After an Accident
After you’ve gotten your initial medical care and begun to recover, you should collect medical records and other details showing how badly you’re hurt and the full scope of your treatment costs.
Contacting an attorney is helpful during this stage because they can also help you with other important actions, such as:
- Identifying all expenses associated with your car accident, such as lost income, property damage, and loss of earning capacity.
- Calculating the value of your claim, including putting a price on your pain and suffering.
- Assembling and presenting all evidence showing what happened and who is at fault for your injuries.
- Preparing and pursuing insurance claims against all liable parties, if there are any besides the other driver.
- Negotiating forcefully for a satisfactory settlement from each party.
- Preparing your case for trial if negotiations aren’t bringing the fair settlement offer you deserve.
You may think you don’t need a lawyer for a minor crash, but even a low-speed rear-end collision injury can be life-changing. Dealing with insurance representatives on top of severe pain and a long recovery can be challenging and unnecessary. In addition, if you delay seeing a doctor, it can lessen your chance to file a claim under the statute of limitation.
Statute of Limitation to File a Claim
You only have two years to file your claim in court in California, according to the statute of limitations. This means you must initiate a lawsuit within this two-year period to preserve your right to seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain, and suffering.
If you fail to file within this timeframe, you may lose the ability to take legal action, even if you have a valid claim. However, there are some exceptions that can alter this deadline. For example, if the accident involved a government entity, the deadline may be much shorter—usually just six months from the date of the accident.
Contact the Car Accident Lawyers of Pines Salomon Injury Lawyers in San Diego, CA, for Help Today
For more information, contact an experienced car accident lawyer at Pines Salomon Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free initial consultation today.
We proudly serve San Diego County and its surrounding areas:
Pines Salomon Injury Lawyers – San Diego Office
835 5th Avenue #302, San Diego, CA 92101
(858) 551-2090
Available 24/7
Pines Salomon Injury Lawyers – La Jolla Office
4660 La Jolla Village Dr. San Diego, CA 92122
(858) 585-9031
Available 24/7
