Helping Colorado’s accident
victims for over 25 years.

Why Seeing a Doctor Immediately After a Crash is Critical to Your Case and Your Health

POSTED BY
April 30, 2025
Bicycle/Motorcycle Accidents Bodily injury Car accidents

Hi, I’m Scott O’Sullivan, founder of The O’Sullivan Law Firm. With over 25 years of experience helping car, motorcycle, and bicycle crash victims across Colorado, I can’t stress this enough: If you’ve been in any kind of crash, get checked by a doctor.

Even if you feel “fine.” Even if you think it’s just a little soreness. This simple decision can dramatically impact both your recovery and your (potential) legal case.

I’ve seen too many clients wait—weeks, sometimes even months—before getting medical help. And unfortunately, that delay often makes it harder to prove the seriousness of their injuries and get them the compensation they deserve. Let me break down exactly why this is so important.

1. Injuries Aren’t Always Obvious

hidden injury after a car crash

Right after a crash, your body is flooded with adrenaline. You might not feel the pain of a neck injury, concussion, or soft tissue damage until hours—or even days—later. That doesn’t mean the injury isn’t serious.

A medical professional can identify and document hidden injuries that could become debilitating down the line. Whether it’s a spinal issue from a car crash or a concussion from a motorcycle fall, getting an early diagnosis can make a huge difference in your treatment and outcome.

2. The Paper Trail is Paramount If You Need To Take Legal Action

paper trail after a car crash

When we take on a personal injury case, one of the most critical things we need is proof. Proof that you were injured. Proof that you sought treatment. Proof that the injury is connected to the crash.

If you wait a week to see a doctor, insurance companies will jump all over that. They’ll say:

  • “They weren’t really hurt.”
  • “If it was serious, they would have gone to the ER.”
  • “Maybe they got hurt doing something else after the crash.”

But if you go straight to the hospital or urgent care—even just to get checked out—it builds a clean, irrefutable record. That first visit starts the paper trail that we can use to build your case and protect your rights.

3. Not Taking Care of Yourself Hurts Your Credibility

doctor and injured person shake hands

Let’s talk about something that might sound harsh: how you are perceived by a jury or insurance adjuster matters. If you don’t take care of yourself after a crash, it can create the impression that your injuries weren’t that serious.

Imagine telling a jury that you were in terrible pain for weeks… but never went to a doctor. It just doesn’t add up. Juries are made up of regular people—they want to see that you did your part to heal and protect your health.

When you take your injury seriously, others will, too. That includes your doctor, the insurance companies, and ultimately, the court.

You Deserve Full Support, Not a Quick Payout

At The O’Sullivan Law Firm, we don’t rush cases. We fight for maximum compensation, and that means having the full story: diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, and long-term impact. The earlier we can start documenting all of that, the better.

You won’t get passed off to a paralegal here. You’ll work directly with an attorney—someone who knows what insurance companies look for, and how to beat them at their own game. But we need your help to do that: start by getting the medical care you need.

Call Us. We’re Here to Help You Through This

If you or someone you love has been in a crash, don’t guess about your injuries. Don’t try to tough it out. And don’t wait to talk to a lawyer.

Call or text us at 303-388-5304 for free advice. We’ll help you figure out your next steps, protect your rights, and make sure you don’t get taken advantage of.

Your health matters. Your story matters. Make sure both are taken seriously.

Free Consultation

  • All fields required
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Archive