If you didn’t visit the doctor after your car accident, it could be more difficult to prove that you were injured in the accident, but you may still have a valid personal injury case. Sometimes, wounds do not develop noticeable symptoms immediately. Also, even if you do not have medical bills, you might have other losses, like lost wages or property damage.
So, if you find yourself wondering whether you have a case if you didn’t visit the doctor after your car accident, the answer is yes, possibly. Your personal injury claim may be more challenging, but a car accident attorney might be able to help you seek money damages for your losses.
Why You Should Go to the Doctor for Your Car Accident Injuries As Soon As Possible
Car accidents can cause injuries that do not develop noticeable symptoms immediately. You might have internal bleeding in the abdomen, a brain bleed if you hit your head, or even a broken bone. These are a few examples of injuries that can take time to develop signs.
Unfortunately, particularly with internal bleeding, sometimes the injured person is in medical crisis by the time symptoms surface. If you were in a significant collision, you should get checked out by a medical professional. Healthcare providers know how to look for traumatic injuries that have not yet become apparent to the untrained eye.
What Happens If You did Go to the Doctor, But Not Immediately?
Perhaps you did not go to the doctor or emergency room immediately after the crash, but you went later when the symptoms appeared. In the adrenaline rush of the moment, your symptoms may have been masked temporarily.
When the stiffness and soreness set in, accompanied by pain and other indications of an injury, you sought medical attention. Many people find themselves in that situation. It may be challenging to prove that your injuries resulted from the car accident. Your personal injury attorney will need to explore the facts of your situation to build a strong case for causation.
What Happens If You Have Already Healed from Your Injuries and did Not Go to the Doctor?
You could still go to the doctor to evaluate whether your wounds healed correctly and if you have a loss of strength, range of motion, or other function. Doing so will provide some documentation of your injuries and any ongoing impairment.
You might be able to get money damages from the accident if you have lost wages from being unable to work because of your injuries. Also, if your employer keeps detailed records, they might be able to provide evidence that you called in sick because of your car accident injuries.
How a Personal Injury Lawyer Uses Medical Records in a Car Accident Injury Claim
Your medical records perform many useful functions in your car accident injury claim. Here are a few of the ways your personal injury lawyer may use your medical file:
- Your medical records are proof that you got hurt. Some people fake injuries after a collision hoping to get some “free money.”
- The notes in your medical record will link your injuries to the car accident. When the nurse or doctor takes your history and information about why you visited the doctor or emergency room, they will include what you told them about your injuries’ cause.
- The time between the collision and your seeking medical attention creates a connection between the accident and your injuries. For example, if the crash happened at 2 PM and you were in the emergency room at 3 PM on the same day with injuries consistent with a traumatic event, it will be quite obvious to a jury that the wounds you suffered were from the collision.
- Your medical records will also prove the extent of your injuries. If the at-fault driver accuses you of exaggerating your injuries, you can point to the medical records and show what the doctor or nurse, an objective third party and medical expert, saw during your medical visit.
- Medical bills also serve as evidence. The cost of your medical treatment will be a factor in calculating your settlement or jury verdict.
For these reasons, even if you have not yet seen a doctor for your car accident injuries, you should do so as soon as possible.
According to the American Bar Association (ABA), you might be able to seek money damages for your losses, including medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses.
Contact Loncar Lyon Jenkins Today for a Free Case Evaluation
According to Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003, you only have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you do not take legal action by this deadline, you could lose all rights to compensation, so please do not delay.
You can call in the Strong Arm of Loncar Lyon Jenkins if you got hurt or lost a loved one because of a car accident. We have helped thousands of families. Call us today at (800) 285-4878 for a free, no-obligation initial consultation.
