It's always a good idea to take care of yourself after an injury but, when it comes to car accidents, doing so might be more important than you think. Read on to learn about why accident after-care has such a strong link between your health status and your personal injury claim.

When Taking Care Has More Meaning

You might be surprised at the number of people that refuse medical treatment after an accident. It's easy to see why, however, when you consider how expensive things like ambulance rides and emergency room care can be. One thing people that turn down that care never consider, however, is that if the other driver was at fault for the accident, the other driver's insurance policy will pay for the medical treatment. Even if you refuse treatment at the scene, be sure to follow up with your own doctor or by using an urgent care facility as soon as you can after the accident.

Failure to Mitigate

There's a legal reason for seeking medical care as well. If you do seek compensation, showing that you received medical treatment is a must. You are, after all, trying to file a personal injury case and, for that, you have to have had an injury. If you don't see a doctor, you cannot seek payment for damages. That means missing out on all of the below:

• Medical treatment costs
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering

Tips for Taking Stock of Your Medical Care

Follow the below tips to ensure that you not only get better faster but that you are paid what you deserve for your injuries:

1. Keep up with the details. You will find yourself bombarded with a lot of paperwork after an accident but pay special attention to anything connected to your medical care. Keep a notebook and keep up with medical appointments, tests, medications, etc. and use some folders to keep up with all paperwork.
2. Keep a pain journal. Many personal injury lawyers ask their clients to begin a journal where they list the way the accident is impacting them on a daily basis. This can be used to show pain and suffering, which is an extremely valuable part of a personal injury payment.
3. Don't disregard your mental status. Emotional problems after an accident are typical and you can be paid for any mental health treatment you might need. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, sleeping and appetite issues, and other problems can occur weeks after an accident.

See a personal injury lawyer as soon as your health permits. They will take a look at your case and recommend the next step towards the compensation you need and deserve. For more information, check out the sites for some local accident lawyers.