If you have been in a car accident and do not think that you have suffered a serious medical injury, you may wrongly assume that this means you do not need to see a doctor. At The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker, one of the first things we tell a client who thinks they have only suffered property damage is to see a medical professional. If they ignore that advice, they are taking on the following four risks.
- You May Be Further Injured
- The Insurance Company May Deny Your Claim
- You May Lose or Diminish Evidence
- You May Only Have the Option of an Unreasonable Settlement
It is not uncommon for an accident victim to leave the scene with adrenaline pumping through their veins. This can cause them to feel fine when in fact they have been injured. If the injury is a neck or brain injury, there may not be immediate symptoms. These are just a few of the potentially life-altering or deadly injuries that you may not feel right away – and good enough reason in itself for you to visit the doctor after an accident.
In some cases, an insurance company may put a limit on how long you have to receive medical care after an accident. For example, if you wait three days to see the doctor, the auto insurance company may deny the coverage on the grounds that it is not related to the accident. They may claim that the accident is preexisting or simply not related to the accident you were just in.
As time goes on, you may end up losing or diminishing evidence that could have proved your personal injury case. If you go to the emergency room directly after the accident, you will likely go through many tests, which will show your condition immediately after your accident. The documentation you get with those tests can help prove the extent of your injuries. Not having them could significantly lower what your case is worth. If you do not go directly from the accident, you should visit the doctor as soon as possible afterward.
The insurance company is going to look for any possible way to minimize the compensation you receive. Skipping the doctor is a great way to give them ammunition to do so. While you can still take your case to court by filing a personal injury lawsuit, the fact of the matter is that securing a reasonable settlement is faster, easier, and results in fewer legal fees.
Whether you went to the doctor immediately after the accident or it has been months and you have still not gone to the doctor, you may have a case. Contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 now to request your free legal consultation. We are here to provide a comprehensive assistance program that ensures you understand your options.
