Do You Still Have a Personal Injury Claim if You Did Not Seek Immediate Medical Treatment?

Apr 02,2018

Usually when a car accident is particularly bad, victims can tell right away that they have suffered injuries. However, in some cases, injuries do not manifest immediately. There are several reasons for this. Your body produces adrenaline and endorphins in an event like an auto accident, which can block pain signals. Additionally, some injuries, especially those involving soft tissue, can take a few days or even weeks to exhibit symptoms. If you were in an accident and decided not to go to the doctor right away because you did not think you were injured, do you still have a case if you begin to experience pain days or weeks later?

Yes, You Can Still File a Claim

Even if you did not seek immediate medical treatment after an accident, you can absolutely still file a personal injury claim. However, the process is most likely going to be more difficult. The unfortunate reality is that the insurance company is going to look for ways to deny your claim or settle for a very low amount. If you have waited days or weeks after your accident to seek medical treatment, the insurance adjuster will use that to claim that you were not really hurt that badly. This is why we always recommend being evaluated by a doctor as soon as possible after an accident.

The first thing you should do is visit a doctor. Tell your doctor what happened and follow their advice and treatment plan. Your medical records will be important for your case. Next, you should consult with a personal injury attorney about your case. Your attorney will help determine the next steps to take.

“While it is always best to seek immediate medical treatment after an accident, it is not too late to pursue a personal injury claim if you waited to see a doctor. It will be more difficult, though, so you will want to seek the help of a personal injury attorney as soon as possible,” said Attorney Walter Clark, founder of Walter Clark Legal Group.

Our firm has been handling personal injury cases throughout the California Low Desert and High Desert communities for over 30 years. With a 95% success rate, the California personal injury attorneys at Walter Clark Legal Group will fight to hold those responsible for your loss accountable and win compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If you have been injured in an auto accident and want to discuss your legal options, contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer. We have offices in Indio, Rancho Mirage, Victorville, and Yucca Valley and represent clients through the entire California Low Desert and High Desert communities

DISCLAIMER: The Walter Clark Legal Group blog is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended as legal or medical advice. References to laws are based on general legal practices and vary by location. Information reported comes from secondary news sources. We do handle these types of cases, but whether or not the individuals and/or loved ones involved in these accidents choose to be represented by a law firm is a personal choice we respect. Should you find any of the information incorrect, we welcome you to contact us with corrections.