4 Reasons Why You Should Not Delay Your Treatment After an Accident
Whether you had a slip and fall or a car accident, any situation that causes a considerable impact on your body can lead to severe injuries that could affect your well-being. Therefore, even if you don't see any sign of injury, the first thing you should do after an accident is to get medical attention. Some injuries may not show symptoms immediately but are fatal if not treated.
Failure to seek medical attention may also complicate your injury case, as you may lack the documents and expert witnesses required to prove that your injuries are from the accident, as you claim. Read on to discover some reasons you should never delay your treatment after an accident.
1. You May Receive a Lower Compensation
If you fail to seek medical attention immediately after an accident, the defense team will argue that the accident did not cause any severe injuries and claim that your injuries are not from the accident.
On the other hand, if you visit a chiropractor or any other relevant medical practitioner for examination immediately after the accident, you'll have documents to prove that you visited a doctor and got the necessary treatment.
Also, if you fail to seek medical attention, your injuries may worsen, requiring costly medical interventions. Since personal injury law only covers the initial injuries suffered, the defendant is not responsible for complications caused by your delays in seeking treatment. Therefore, the defendant's insurer can only compensate you for the damages caused by your initial injuries.
2. You May Hurt Your Legal Case
If you delay seeking medical treatment, you may experience challenges proving that your injuries result from the accident. If you take several days or weeks before visiting a doctor after an accident, you allow the defense team to challenge your claim.
For example, the defense attorney can claim that your demands are based on an exaggeration of your injuries, and the judge may decide that your failure to seek treatment is evidence that your injuries were not severe.
3. You Injuries May Worsen
Accident injuries range from minor to vital, depending on the level of impact. Typical car accident injuries include whiplash, cuts, broken bones, head injuries, and internal bleeding. Some accident victims also experience mental issues, like Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Failure to seek treatment for serious injuries can lead to further complications or death.
Even if you feel okay after an accident, medical extermination is the only sure way to prove so. Some conditions are not visible but have serious effects if not treated early. An immediate visit to the doctor ensures early diagnosis of all of your injuries to enable prompt treatment.
4. You Won't Save Money by Delaying Your Treatment
Even if you lack the funds to start the necessary treatment, never wait to see if the defendant's insurer will cover your bills. Start with getting the proper treatment, and then seek reimbursement from the defendant's insurer.
If you seek compensation without any treatment, you will lack the documents required to prove that you sustained injuries because of the accident. You may also spend more on medical expenses due to the extra cost of treating complications.
No matter the type of accident, you should seek medical attention first to protect your well-being and improve your chances of getting full compensation for your injuries. Any delay in seeking treatment after an accident can lead to further problems, as explained above.
At Accident & Injury Center, we understand that even minor accidents could lead to severe injuries that need the best care to treat. Our clients undergo a thorough examination to ensure that no injury goes unnoticed. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.