What Tests Are Done After a Car Accident?

Immediately after an accident, a thorough examination of the victims and vehicles involved should be conducted to help a car accident lawyer in Phoenix identify injuries and determine the possible causes.

Tests and Assessments Done After a Car Accident

The tests that must be done on all drivers involved in a car accident could include physical examinations, neurological assessments, blood tests, CT scans, MRIs, X-rays, and drug tests. 

Physical Evaluations

All car accident victims should undergo a thorough physical examination to assess the severity of their injuries. This examination should also assess their musculoskeletal system and general physical condition.

X-Rays

An X-ray scans your bones for fractures and dislocations. It provides images of your skeleton to reveal physical damages that may not be visible to the naked eye.

Neurological Tests

Head injuries are common in car accidents. Unfortunately, they’re often not immediately evident. They can range from traumatic brain injuries to minor concussions.

Therefore, a thorough neurological evaluation is necessary immediately after an accident to identify and treat possible head injuries. This evaluation involves assessing cognitive function, reflex response, and coordination. It may also reveal internal bleeding and damage to the brain or spine.

CT Scans and MRI Tests

A computed tomography (CT) scan is the only way to determine the condition of your internal organs (e.g., liver, brain, lungs, and spleen) after a car crash. It provides cross-sectional images of internal organs and can identify injuries the X-ray machine may have missed.

A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan is necessary to identify damaged soft tissues. It captures injuries that can’t be seen on an X-ray and CT scans.

Blood Tests

A blood test is necessary to assess your overall health. It identifies infections, inflammations, organ failure, and internal bleeding.

DUI-Related Tests

Law enforcement may require you and the other parties in an accident to undergo sobriety tests to determine if anyone was under the influence of drugs or alcohol. These tests may include blood tests, breathalyzers, and field sobriety tests.

Vehicle Diagnostics

The cars involved in the accident need to be inspected, too. Newer cars may have event data recorders that can be analyzed for critical details about speed, braking, seatbelt usage, airbag deployment, and the degree of impact.

A thorough mechanical examination will help identify any pre-existing mechanical problems (e.g., brake failures, faulty head or tail lights, etc.) that may have caused the accident. It will also show whether the vehicles were serviced correctly.

Environmental Evaluation

Law enforcement will evaluate the weather conditions at the time of the accident to determine if they contributed to the accident to help determine liability.

Why Car Accident Tests Are Important

These tests are essential for various reasons, including addressing the legal and financial consequences of the accident. They help determine the severity of injuries sustained, the amount of money needed to treat injuries, and subsequent compensation.

Regarding treatment and compensation, you need to figure out how to manage your medical expenses and how medical bills are paid after a car accident. Your car insurance company will often take care of the medical bills, depending on your insurance coverage.

These tests also help determine liability. To be fully compensated, you must prove that another party is entirely responsible for the accident. Your lawyer should gather all the available evidence to support your case.

If you’re planning to bring someone to court, your lawyer should explain the entire process, including what percentage of car accident cases go to trial and how many succeed.

In Summary

Tests performed after a car accident ensure the safety of the victims and help them get justice and compensation. They provide information necessary for a conclusive resolution of car accident cases. Reach out to Gage Mathers today if you need a qualified and experienced car accident attorney in Phoenix!

About the Author

Joseph D'Aguanno

Guided by the belief that being a highly skilled specialist in a narrow field is better than being ordinary in everything, Joseph “JD” D’Aguanno leads Arizona’s best personal injury law firm in Phoenix, AZ. Having extensive cross-training in pre-litigation negotiations and trial lawyer skills, with decades of experience, JD strives to provide clients with the most valuable legal services a personal injury lawyer can provide. Under his direction, Gage Mathers Law Group is an award-winning personal injury law firm providing aggressive representation to victims of a car accident, medical malpractice, dog bite, motorcycle accident, and other injurious events. Gage Mathers is trusted by thousands of lawyers and clients throughout the country because of their reputation for getting clients the maximum compensation they deserve.

Years of experience: Over 23 years
Bar number: 020421
Location: Phoenix, AZ
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