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If you didn’t visit the emergency room or your primary care doctor after a car accident, you could have a harder time correlating your car accident injuries with the crash. Medical records detailing your post-accident injuries establish not just the extent of the harm you suffered but also prove causation in your car accident case. It’s a critical element of your Boca Raton car accident lawyer’s case-building. Without medical records, it’s harder to prove that you sustained the specific injury in the wreck and not in some other manner.
If you delayed seeking medical care after a car accident, you can still pursue compensation for your injuries. It may just be a little more difficult to substantiate your claim. Talk to experienced car accident lawyers who understand how to overcome common challenges in car accident claims to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.
Why should I get medical attention after a car wreck?
When you get into a crash, your body releases adrenaline, the hormone that triggers the “fight or flight” response. Adrenaline masks pain; many people think they’re not hurt or not hurt as badly as they actually are. Getting medical attention right after the crash occurs (ideally, on the scene by calling 911) ensures that you receive proper evaluation and that no hidden injuries are missed.
If you don’t get treated at the scene or go to the emergency room, at least visit your local Urgent Care center or see your own doctor the following day. Hidden injuries like internal organ damage, a mild concussion, or ligament tears cause ongoing health issues without proper treatment. Going to the doctor benefits more than just your personal injury claim. You reduce your chances of serious complications and have a better chance of recovery.
When you do go to the doctor, be sure to save your medical bills and give copies to your personal injury attorney.
How effective is a doctor visit days after my car crash?
Maybe you didn’t “feel hurt” after getting into a car crash, skipped the call for an ambulance, and just swapped information with the other driver. Then, the next morning, or even days or weeks later, you may be stiff, sore, or have suddenly developed swelling or pain in your abdomen. You go to the doctor and realize that you have a “hidden injury,” one that doesn’t present symptoms immediately. These are common in car accident cases; the adrenaline deadens your pain. When it wears off, you realize that you’re actually hurt pretty badly.
Getting evaluated by a doctor is better than waiting for the pain to go away or hoping that the injury will heal on its own. And trained medical professionals can affirm how your injuries were sustained, even if they didn’t see you right after the wreck. Your doctor’s diagnosis, along with released medical records, can help bolster your claim with insurance companies. So, it’s better to go later than not go at all.
How can a personal injury lawyer win my car accident case if I didn’t go to the doctor?
Your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance should cover your minor injuries; if you are hurt badly enough to meet Florida’s definition of a serious injury, then you can file a lawsuit for damages against the driver who caused the wreck. However, plaintiffs seeking compensation in personal injury cases have to prove:
- Another party’s negligence caused the car accident
- The plaintiff suffered injuries because of the accident
- They suffered subsequent financial losses
Without documentation of the injuries you sustained in a car crash, it’s hard to prove that #1, you were hurt, and #2, it was the car crash that caused the injuries.
Your personal injury lawyer will have to rely on other evidence to build the case against the other driver. Witness testimony, such as a passenger in the car who saw your head hit the windshield, could help bolster your claim that you were hurt in the crash. Photos of you right afterward, showing you clearly injured, may also be viable evidence.
Without medical bills, it becomes difficult to prove that you suffered financial harm because of the wreck. If you didn’t go to the doctor, there are no medical bills to compensate you for. You’re eligible for compensation for more than just medical bills, though. If you missed work or sustained significant damage to your vehicle, you can pursue compensation for that. Your auto body quote or pay stubs can be used to prove you sustained a financial loss.
You can still protect your rights after a delayed doctor visit
If you didn’t go to the doctor after a car accident and you want to file a claim against the other driver, then the advice of a skilled car accident lawyer is critical.
Have you been involved in a car accident and need help proving your claim? Call Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath today at (561) 655-1990 for a free consultation.