When you have suffered an injury in an accident, whether in a motor vehicle crash, slip and fall, or a pedestrian accident, among others, it’s vital that you obtain medical attention right away. Downplaying or ignoring your symptoms because they seem minor could result in unexpected complications later and likewise impact your chances of filing a claim against the at-fault party that caused your injuries. But how do you know if you should head to the urgent care clinic or the emergency room?
When to Head to the Emergency Room After an Accident
Injured people typically go to the emergency room to seek emergency care for treating severe wounds or if they’re at risk of death or losing a limb. Other common reasons for seeking emergency care include strokes, heart attacks, poisoning, extreme breathing difficulties, persistent bleeding, severe lacerations, and amputations.
Put simply, the emergency room is your best choice for serious injuries. Besides having a qualified staff that is prepared to deal with all kinds of medical emergencies, emergency rooms are also equipped with all the medical equipment required for diagnosing and treating various injuries.
When to Head to the Urgent Care Clinic After an Accident
Urgent care clinics don’t necessarily deal with urgent injuries. People typically go to an urgent care clinic when they can’t see their regular doctor or primary care physician but need to have something checked by a doctor as soon as possible.
Common injuries that urgent care clinics usually treat include dehydration, abdominal pain, high fevers, cuts that may require stitches, minor burns, headaches, and the like. Basically, an urgent care clinic is not the place to go to when you have a very serious and/or potentially life-threatening injury or condition.
If you’re dealing with simple injuries following a minor accident, professionals in urgent care clinics might be able to evaluate and treat your condition. However, when faced with an injury following a serious accident, it’s always best to call for emergency help or head to the emergency room simply because you don’t really know what kind of injury (or how serious it is) you may be dealing with.
Consult with an Experienced Clearwater Personal Injury Lawyer Now
If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in an accident and had to go to an urgent care clinic or emergency room because of the negligent and careless acts of another individual or entity, you may be entitled to file a claim against the at-fault party. The Clearwater personal injury lawyers of Tragos, Sartes & Tragos can help you figure out the best legal recourse available to you and help ensure that you obtain proper compensation for your damages.
Your damages can include all medical bills related to treating your injuries, lost wages for all the workdays you missed, and pain and suffering, among others. To arrange a free case review with our skilled Clearwater personal injury lawyer, you can reach us at 727-441-9093 or fill out our online form.
