If you have been hit by a careless driver, you may suffer from several losses. When it comes to injuries, though, you should be extremely careful about what you do and don't do. If you decide to forgo medical treatment, for instance, the consequences can be devastating in more ways than one.
If you Avoid Medical Treatment
There are several risks of not seeking medical treatment after a car accident that was not your fault. These include the following.
Undetected injuries
Some injuries, such as whiplash or internal injuries, may not be immediately apparent after an accident. Without medical treatment, these injuries may go undetected and worsen over time. This can cause you to only realize the seriousness of the injuries later when it could be too late to seek damages from the other driver.
Delayed symptoms
Some injuries may not produce symptoms until hours or even days after an accident. If you don't seek medical treatment immediately after the accident, you may miss the opportunity to identify and treat these symptoms early. If you did not go to the hospital after your accident and begin to experience delayed symptoms, seek medical right away.
Difficulty in proving causation
If you delay seeking medical treatment, it may be more difficult to prove that your injuries were caused by the accident. Insurance companies may argue that your injuries were caused by something else, and you may not be able to receive compensation for your medical bills or lost wages. They may also accuse some victims of faking injuries after the accident occurred. A visit to a medical facility will stand as proof that your injuries were serious enough to seek help and that deserve consideration.
Decreased chances of recovery
Delaying medical treatment can also decrease your chances of making a full recovery. Early treatment can help manage pain, prevent further injury, and promote healing. You could make your injury worse by not being treated.
Potential impact on future claims
If you delay seeking medical treatment and don't have medical records to document your injuries, it may be more difficult to pursue a claim for future medical expenses, lost wages, or pain and suffering.
Seeing medical treatment after a car accident, regardless of fault, is important to protect your health and well-being, as well as to preserve your legal rights. To find out more about the importance of your injuries and seeking medical treatment after an accident, speak to a personal injury lawyer.
Reach out to an auto accident attorney in your area to learn more.
