It is protocol, if you or a loved one is in a Philadelphia or Bucks County accident, that you will be taken to a hospital or at least offered medical treatment by the first responders to your accident scene. Bucks County personal injury lawyer Michael L. Saile, Jr. strongly suggests that even if you “feel okay,” you should obtain an injury evaluation as soon as possible. This is important both to protect your health and to maintain a solid treatment record should it become necessary for you to file a personal injury claim.
The Post-Accident Realities
In the immediate time following a PA or NJ accident, you may be a bit shaky. It is normal for the shock of a Philadelphia area car accident to upset your emotional and mental balance, but as a result, you may think you are physically okay when in fact, you do have injuries. It is one time when you should avoid toughing it out.
Hospital emergency room visits in the greater Philadelphia area vary widely depending on the time of day, staff available at your arrival, and severity of the illness or injury of other patients there at the time. No matter which hospital you find yourself in after a PA car accident, you can expect that your injuries and pain will be evaluated.
Because it is common for PA and NJ accident victims to have head, back and neck injuries following a car accident, a hospital emergency room evaluation may include:
• Imaging (X-Ray, CAT scan, MRI or ultrasound)
• Vital monitoring (heart rate, BP, temperature)
• Review for concussion
• Pain medication or muscle relaxants
What Happens After the Hospital Visit?
Based on your hospital injury evaluation, a determination will be made as to whether you will be admitted to the hospital or discharged. If you are discharged, you will be given discharge instructions. The personal injury lawyers at Cordisco & Saile LLC believe you should have a personal representative, such as a friend or family member, listen with you to the doctor’s injury diagnosis and recommended follow-ups with specialists, if any, as well as the hospital’s discharge instructions because you may be under the effects of medications. While medications may reduce your pain or relax you, it may be more difficult for you to fully grasp even simple instructions. For this reason most hospital discharge instructions are given to you in writing as well. Most Philadelphia and Bucks County hospitals’ standard discharge instructions tell you to follow up with a family doctor.
If you or a loved one has been to a hospital for injury evaluation after your Philadelphia or Bucks County accident, you may still have questions about what comes next. Get our FREE PA Car Accident Guide written for accident victims by a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer.
