You’ve just been struck by a vehicle while crossing the street in Odessa. You managed to get up, and while you feel shaken and sore, you’re not sure if your injuries warrant a trip to the emergency room. This moment of uncertainty affects many pedestrian accident victims. Still, the answer is unequivocal: Yes, you should absolutely seek immediate medical attention after any pedestrian accident, regardless of how minor your injuries may seem.
The decision to seek medical care after a pedestrian accident isn’t just about your health; it’s also critical to protecting your legal rights and your ability to pursue compensation for your injuries. Understanding why immediate medical attention matters can make the difference between a complete recovery with fair compensation and long-term complications with a denied insurance claim.
Hidden Injuries Are Common in Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrian accidents often produce injuries that don’t immediately manifest symptoms. Adrenaline and shock can mask pain and other warning signs in the hours following a collision. Internal bleeding, traumatic brain injuries, and soft tissue damage may not become apparent until days or even weeks after the accident, by which time the injury has worsened significantly.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, pedestrians struck by vehicles frequently sustain serious injuries even at relatively low speeds. Head injuries, spinal cord damage, broken bones, and internal organ trauma can all present with delayed symptoms. A person who walks away from an accident feeling “fine” may actually have a concussion, internal bleeding, or vertebral fractures that require immediate treatment.
Medical Documentation Protects Your Legal Rights
Beyond the obvious health reasons, seeking immediate medical attention creates essential documentation for any potential personal injury claim. Insurance companies routinely deny or minimize claims when victims delay medical treatment, arguing that the injuries either weren’t serious or weren’t caused by the accident. A gap between your accident and your first medical visit gives insurance adjusters ammunition to dispute your claim.
Medical records from your initial examination establish a direct link between the accident and your injuries. Emergency room visits, diagnostic imaging, and physician notes all become critical evidence demonstrating the nature and extent of your injuries. Without this contemporaneous medical documentation, you may struggle to prove your case even if you develop serious symptoms later.
What to Do Immediately After a Pedestrian Accident
If you’re able to do so safely, call 911 immediately after being struck by a vehicle. Even if you don’t think you’re seriously injured, police and emergency medical services should respond to the scene. Paramedics can perform an initial assessment and transport you to the hospital if necessary.
Tell the responding officer and medical personnel about all symptoms you’re experiencing, no matter how minor they seem. Mention any pain, dizziness, confusion, numbness, or other unusual sensations. Be thorough and honest; this isn’t the time to downplay your condition.
If you refuse ambulance transport at the scene, visit an emergency room or urgent care facility as soon as possible. Don’t wait to “see how you feel” over the next few days. Prompt medical evaluation can catch developing problems before they become serious and create the documentation your insurance claim or lawsuit will require.
Follow Through with Recommended Treatment
After your initial medical evaluation, follow all treatment recommendations from your healthcare providers. Attend all follow-up appointments, complete prescribed physical therapy, and take medications as directed. Insurance companies scrutinize treatment compliance and may argue that gaps in treatment indicate your injuries weren’t serious.
Keep detailed records of all medical visits, treatments, prescriptions, and out-of-pocket expenses. Save copies of medical bills, pharmacy receipts, and mileage logs for medical appointments. This documentation becomes essential when calculating the full value of your personal injury claim.
The Insurance Company Perspective
Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize claim payouts. When pedestrian accident victims delay medical treatment or skip follow-up appointments, adjusters seize on these gaps to argue the injuries weren’t significant or weren’t caused by the accident. They may also claim pre-existing conditions caused your symptoms rather than the collision.
Immediate and consistent medical care removes these arguments from the insurance company’s playbook. When your medical records show you sought treatment right away and followed through with all recommendations, your claim becomes much stronger.
Legal Support for Odessa Pedestrian Accident Victims
At Ruhmann Law Firm, our personal injury attorneys in Odessa recognize how insurance companies exploit treatment delays to deny legitimate pedestrian accident claims. We’ve handled numerous cases where victims suffered serious injuries but faced claim denials because they hesitated to seek immediate care or missed follow-up appointments.
When you’re dealing with medical treatment and recovery, the last thing you need is fighting with insurance adjusters who are paid to keep their settlements low. That’s where having dedicated legal representation makes all the difference.
Our team knows how to conduct thorough investigations, gather relevant evidence, collect witness statements, obtain trusted medical professionals to review your case, and complete all other steps necessary to put injured clients in the strongest position possible. We handle the legal complexities while you focus on healing.
At the Ruhmann Law Firm, we take all qualifying cases on a contingent basis, which means we charge zero upfront fees to represent our Texas clients.
Your medical care comes first, but protecting your legal rights runs a close second. If you’ve been struck by a vehicle in Odessa or anywhere in West Texas, seek medical attention immediately, then contact us at 915-845-4529 or reach out online for a free consultation. We’re here to ensure you receive full and fair compensation for your medical bills, lost earnings, and all other damages you’re entitled to receive.