After being involved in an accident, many people delay seeking medical attention, especially if they don’t feel immediate pain. Unfortunately, this can be a costly mistake when it comes to a personal injury claim. Injuries like whiplash, internal bleeding, or soft tissue damage often don’t show symptoms right away, but they can worsen over time if left untreated. The delay in treatment not only risks your health but can also hurt your case when seeking compensation.
Insurance companies often use delayed medical treatment as an argument to devalue or deny your claim. If there is a significant gap between the accident and your first medical visit, the insurance adjuster may argue that your injuries weren’t severe or that they were caused by something unrelated to the accident. This makes it easier for the insurer to minimize your settlement or deny coverage altogether.
Moreover, medical records provide critical evidence in personal injury claims. Without timely medical documentation, it becomes much harder to prove that your injuries were a direct result of the accident. Insurance companies rely heavily on medical reports to assess the legitimacy of a claim, so getting prompt treatment creates a clear link between the accident and your injuries.
It’s also important to follow through with any recommended treatments. Failing to attend follow-up appointments, physical therapy sessions, or additional diagnostic tests can be used against you. Insurance companies may argue that your injuries must not be as severe as claimed if you don’t follow your doctor’s orders. To strengthen your personal injury claim, always seek immediate medical care and follow through with all recommended treatments.