Yes, you can file a car accident case without seeing a doctor, but your chances of winning the claim are reduced if you don’t have any medical records. When you don’t seek medical treatment at all, you’ll have no documentation to prove the injuries that resulted from the car accident. Furthermore, the longer you stay without seeking medical treatment, the harder it becomes to link your injuries to a specific accident.
An insurance claim can still be valid if you don’t seek medical attention. However, if you haven’t received a medical diagnosis, assessment, and treatment after an auto accident, we recommend you do so immediately. If you’re still at the scene of the accident, it would be best to follow the paramedics’ advice when they respond to the scene. If they recommend that you seek medical treatment, let them take you to the hospital.
Reasons Why People don’t See a Doctor After a Car Accident
People often fail to seek medical care after car accidents for various reasons. Some may be afraid of admitting they’ve been hurt, while others believe that their injuries are less severe for a trip to the hospital. You may also fail to seek medical attention because of delayed injury symptoms.
Even if you don’t feel injured, you should still go to the doctor. You may have invisible injuries that can take weeks to months to manifest. It’s important to get checked out after an accident no matter how you feel and follow up for a few months to ensure no injuries are developing.
While you may still be eligible for compensation without seeing a doctor, it’s best to err on the side of caution and see a medical professional. You want to get the compensation you are entitled to, and medical records can help make that happen.
Seeking Medical Care After an Auto Accident Is Crucial for Your Case
It’s easier for a law firm to handle your case, including issues with liability insurance, when you have a well-written medical report. Reasons for why going to a doctor is vital include:
- Linking your injuries to the accident
- Protecting your rights by documenting the injuries
- Avoiding serious harm that’s invisible at first, like internal injuries
- Helping wounds heal faster
- Assisting in the fast processing of insurance claims
If you were unaware that you were injured or failed to get an evaluation immediately, you still have options. If only a few days or weeks have passed since the accident, you can still visit a doctor. If you’re in such a situation, seek the services of a lawyer to get help recovering the costs associated with your injuries and other damages.
The Different Ways of Getting a Medical Assessment and Treatment
After an accident, you can get medical attention in several ways, and you’ll need to decide which option is ideal depending on your injuries. Other factors include the time that has elapsed since the crash and the level of pain you’re experiencing. The available options include:
Visit a Local Emergency Department
You can visit a local emergency department if you feel like you might have a broken bone or other injuries associated with the car accident. Local emergency departments are often ideal for injuries requiring immediate treatment. You can even ask a family member or friend to take you to the hospital if you have a severe condition and can’t drive.
Go to a Doctor for an Evaluation
Suppose you were at the accident scene and the paramedics told you that you could go home or didn’t have any severe injuries. Even so, we recommend visiting your doctor after a few days or weeks for a medical assessment. Personal doctors can treat minor injuries, such as lacerations and sprains, and document the damages for your claims.
Visit a Walk-in Clinic for an Assessment
If you don’t want to risk the possibilities of any injuries, you should visit a walk-in or urgent care clinic. This is an excellent option for individuals who don’t have significant physical or internal injuries. Keep the medical reports you receive to give to your lawyer as evidence of your claim.
What does It Take to Get Compensation for an Injury?
To receive compensation, you and your attorney must prove beyond doubt that the at-fault parties were negligent, directly leading to the injuries. You should also verify that the defendant is responsible for your medical bills by acting negligently.
Call George Sink, P.A. Injury Lawyers Today for a Free Consultation
Were you in an accident and wounded due to someone else’s negligence? Did you or did you not visit a doctor? Whichever the case, an attorney from George Sink, P.A. Injury Lawyers can help you get the compensation you deserve. With 40 years of experience and more than 50,000 successful personal injury cases under our belt, we are ready to take on your case.
Call us at (888) 612-7001 to speak with a team member for a consultation and legal advice regarding your case.