After a car accident, adrenaline may be running high. You may feel fine and want to move on quickly, focusing on car repairs and putting the accident behind you.
However, you may start feeling injury symptoms later. If you didn’t see a doctor right away, many may wonder if it’s too late to connect the injury to your car accident. Keep reading to learn more about the importance of seeing a doctor immediately, time limits and potential consequences of not seeking prompt medical attention, and how a personal injury attorney can help.
Why See a Doctor Immediately?
Even if you don’t feel hurt after a car accident, it’s still a good idea to seek medical treatment. A medical professional can provide the following.
- Accurate diagnosis: They will conduct a thorough medical evaluation to assess potential injuries.
- Proper treatment: Doctors will prescribe medicine, refer you to specialists, and more., to ensure you get adequate care after car accidents.
- Document injuries: Your medical records are unbiased proof of injuries following the accident.
It never hurts to see a doctor after a car crash. You get peace of mind when you visit an urgent care clinic. The medical report will verify the extent of your injuries and create a record that can be admissible for future insurance claims.
Hidden Injuries and Delayed Symptoms
Some injuries may take hours, days, or even weeks to show up. Their symptoms don’t present themselves immediately. Common injuries include:
- Whiplash: The forceful motion of the impact may cause your neck to hurt. The soft tissues may swell, making it painful or difficult to move.
- Concussion: Car accident victims can hit their heads and get concussions. You may be confused, dizzy, nauseous, or have headaches.
- Internal bleeding: You may have delayed abdominal pain, swelling, or bruising after an accident that can be a result of internal injuries or organ damage.
- Body pain: General neck, back, and shoulder pain can occur after a car accident. Soft tissue injuries can lead to sprains and strains that can take weeks to heal.
It’s hard to tell if you are injured or suffering a traumatic brain injury after an accident, so seeking prompt medical evaluation is vital, even if you feel fine. If you don’t, delayed injuries can have severe consequences.
Time Limits and Potential Consequences
Just as there are time limits to file a personal injury claim, there are time limits that may impact your ability to connect an injury with your case. Failure to seek prompt treatment can cause your medical expenses to be excluded from your personal injury case.
Insurance Claim Deadlines
Some insurance policies may have deadlines for seeking medical treatment following a car wreck to be eligible for coverage. The deadline varies, but typically, you have about 72 hours, though some policies may allow up to 14 days.
Your auto accident lawyer can help you understand the insurance policy’s limitations. To be safe, it’s best to seek medical care as soon as possible. Prompt care will strengthen your car accident injury claim.
Statute of Limitations for Car Accidents
Delaying medical care can impact your ability to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you cannot prove the injuries that occurred, it can be challenging to file a claim. You may only be able to recover losses for the damages to your personal property.
While you typically have up to two years from the accident date to file personal injury claims, you do not have two years to seek medical attention. You need prompt care to recover the full extent of your losses.
Your state may have different statutes of limitations surrounding car accident cases, so consult with a legal professional to understand your rights.
Weakening Your Claim
The longer you wait to seek medical attention, the harder it will be to prove your injuries were caused by the accident. After all, if you didn’t need to seek prompt care, how bad could the injuries be?
That’s the argument the opposing counsel or insurance company will make as they try to discredit your claim and minimize their payout. Failure to go to the doctor could weaken your claim or make it harder to prove pain and suffering and its impact on your well-being.
Is It Ever Too Late for Medical Treatment?
It’s always best to go to the doctor if you’re not feeling well. Even if it’s been a while since the accident, explain what happened during the accident. Be as thorough as possible so the doctor clearly understands what they should look for.
Documenting Your Reasons for Delay
As you talk to your doctor, share your reasons for delaying treatment. Perhaps you didn’t realize the extent of your injuries or didn’t feel like you were injured right away. Maybe you didn’t have health insurance and could not afford immediate medical care.
Be honest. You want your medical records to accurately represent what happened during and after the accident. The more precise you can be in documenting your reasons for delay, the better your chance of recovering compensation for your serious injuries. An experienced car accident lawyer can help you navigate your options if you think it’s too late to go to the doctor.
Seeking Legal Guidance Because of Your Car Accident Injuries
Personal injury lawyers are well-versed in the law. They can help you navigate the legal implications of delayed medical treatment and protect your rights during your personal injury case.
Building a Strong Case Despite Delays
Experienced lawyers can help build a strong case, even if you didn’t seek timely medical attention for the injuries sustained. Your lawyer will:
- Gather evidence. You can turn over any photos you have of the accident scene. They can also get police records, witness statements, and secure surveillance footage. Your lawyer will conduct their own investigation to uncover the facts of the case.
- Secure your medical record and testimony. Your lawyer can get your medical reports, even if they were delayed. They can also secure expert testimony that can help support your reason for not getting timely medical care.
- Negotiate on your behalf. Your lawyer will take on the insurance company to get you fair compensation for all your expenses. This compensation includes medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, damage to personal property, and more. They know the minimum settlement you should get even as they advocate for the maximum.
- Represent you in court. If your lawyer and the insurance company can’t agree, the case will go to trial. This alternative is less common, but your attorney is your advocate when it happens. They do their best to build the strongest case and plead on your behalf.
The immediate aftermath of a car accident can be very confusing. Many victims aren’t sure where to start, and if they’re not feeling hurt, they may opt out of getting a medical exam.
While it’s not the best-case scenario, your lawyer can find ways to use delayed treatment in potential legal claims.
Secure Expert Legal Counsel!
Not everyone knows to seek immediate medical attention following a car accident. Victims may not want to go through the hassle if they feel fine. Only after do they realize they need medical help and wonder if it’s too late.
Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers can help you navigate the intricacies of your car accident case, even if you delayed your care. Our team of experienced legal professionals will help you start your healing journey after the auto accident.
Call (888) 424-5757 for a free consultation with our Chicago car accident attorneys, or fill out our contact form.