After an accident, it may seem natural to go straight to the emergency room for any injuries sustained. However, the cost of medical treatment and wait time may have victims wondering if going to the emergency room is even an option for them. If you or someone you know was in a car accident, you may be wondering whether the emergency room or an urgent care center is the better choice.
What is an Urgent Care Center?
An urgent care center allows patients to walk-in and be seen for conditions that are serious, but not serious enough to warrant emergency room care. It is a convenient option for patients because urgent care centers are usually open on holidays and weekends, and even after hours. It is also convenient for patients whose primary care physicians do not take walk-in appointments and who are booking out days or weeks. Unlike the emergency room, urgent care centers do not offer imaging, lab work, or inpatient stays, which may be necessary for some patients following a car accident.
Urgent care centers offer the same type of immediate care you would receive if you went to the emergency room. The only difference is the amount of time you will wait and the cost. Urgent care centers are cheaper than emergency room visits. If you decide to go to an urgent care center, you may find that you wait a shorter amount of time than you would at the emergency room.
Emergency Room Benefits
There are many benefits that come with going to the emergency room, however. These benefits include same day MRI and CT facilities, in-house testing laboratories, and access to specialists and surgeons. You also cannot be turned away from the emergency room. If after your car accident you have severe injuries, or injuries that are life-threatening, it is better to go to the emergency room because emergency rooms offer specialized testing and imaging. Some injuries that require emergency room care include:
- Seizures
- Serious burns
- Loss of consciousness
- Head injuries or brain trauma
- Paralysis
- Uncontrolled bleeding
If you refuse to receive medical treatment immediately following an accident, some insurance adjusters will attempt to use your decision as a way of denying your claim. While, it will not completely hurt your chances, it is recommended that you seek medical care as soon as possible. Trying to “brave it out” and hoping the pain and discomfort will just go away, cannot only adversely affect your health, but can impair your legal rights.
Contact a Blackwood Car Accident Lawyer at the Law Office of Mark S. Nathan After a Car Accident
If you or someone you know was involved in a car accident, contact a Blackwood car accident lawyer at the Law Office of Mark S. Nathan. Our experienced lawyers will fight for your rights and obtain the compensation you deserve for your injuries. For a free consultation, contact us online or call us at 856-232-5559. Located in Blackwood, New Jersey, we serve clients throughout South Jersey, including the areas of Clementon, Deptford, Glassboro, Lindenwold, Pine Hill, Pitman, Turnersville, Williamstown, Camden County, and Gloucester County.