Don’t Delay Medical Treatment After a Car Wreck
Delaying medical treatment after a car wreck could jeopardize your health and car insurance claim. Seeking prompt medical care is crucial for several reasons:
- Any apparent injuries could get worse
- You may have suffered “delayed” injuries that are not apparent immediately after a car accident
- If you have suffered delayed injuries, further delaying treatment could exacerbate your symptoms and lead to a slower and longer recovery period, long-term disability, or death
- Seeking immediate medical attention demonstrates that you were concerned that you may have been injured at the time of the accident
- You will create a record of your medical evaluations, diagnosis, and treatment, which may be necessary for your financial recovery
How Can Delaying Going to the Hospital Hurt My Claim, And Will I Lose My Right To File a Car-Wreck Claim?
No. Even if you waited several days after an accident to go to the hospital, you may still file a claim for damages. Most states (like Kentucky) provide a 2-year window after an accident to file a personal injury claim. However, Tennessee provides a shorter statute of limitations period of only 1 year.
However, do not think that because you have 2 years to assert your claim, it is okay for you to delay seeking medical attention. You should begin recording evidence of your injuries right away. Therefore, it is critical for your physical health and ability to succeed in your personal injury claim to obtain medical attention as soon as possible. Delaying going to the hospital does not prohibit your claim, but it makes it more difficult to prove that you were injured in the accident.
To succeed in a claim for damages, you must be able to show that any injuries for which you are seeking compensation actually occurred during the accident. The longer you wait to obtain medical confirmation that you have suffered an injury, the more likely the negligent party will claim that you did not sustain your injuries in the accident but rather by engaging in some other activity after the accident.
Contact Queener Law if you’ve been hurt in a car wreck You need to speak with an experienced car accident attorney as soon as possible. Schedule your free consultation today.