Following an accident, receiving proper medical attention is a must. Not only will it save your life, but doing so will also strengthen your position in any subsequent legal claim. While missing a medical appointment can seem like a minor inconvenience, it has the potential to drastically alter the fortunes of your claim. At Gabriel Law, we handle all types of personal injury cases and understand how important medical appointments can be. In this post, as we step into the shoes of your accident lawyer in Queens, let’s talk about how skipping medical appointments can hurt your case.
Why is it important to seek medical attention after a car accident?
In car accidents, victims can suffer from all sorts of injuries, from minor cuts and bruises to catastrophic, life-threatening injuries. In the immediate aftermath of the accident, the adrenaline and shock can mask your pain, and some injuries are not immediately apparent, but that does not mean you are alright.
Getting a doctor to take a good look at you immediately after the accident can literally save your life. They can conduct a thorough examination and ensure that you receive proper treatment. At the same time, the medical records will be used as evidence to demonstrate the extent of damages and justify compensation.
How can skipping medical appointments hurt your claim?
The consequences of skipping medical appointments are twofold. First, it can impact your recovery. Doctors will have regular check-ups to make sure that your injuries are healing right. If the doctor notices any inconsistencies, they can adjust the treatment to better match your recovery.
On the other hand, missing medical appointments shows carelessness and disregard for the seriousness of the situation on your part. Insurance companies rely heavily on your medical documents to determine the validity of your claim, and when there are gaps in the reporting, they can doubt your version of events.
Should you skip your medical appointments and later claim that your injuries have worsened and demand more compensation, you will not get what you want. That is because the insurance company can claim that you have failed to mitigate damages.
Remember, insurance companies will do almost anything to reduce your payout, and you should not give them a reason to do so. When you have skipped your medical appointments, it gives them the ammunition to delay and deny your claim, making it substantially more difficult to move on from the incident quickly and with the settlement you need.
Conclusion
When it comes to claiming compensation after a car accident, everything that you do and don’t do matters. Skipping medical appointments can have serious consequences, giving insurance companies the ammunition they need to delay, reduce, and deny your claim. If you are concerned about how missing medical appointments can impact your claim, don’t hesitate to contact a car accident lawyer in Brooklyn. Contact Gabriel Law today to schedule your free and confidential consultation. Our team will go through your case and guide you through the process from start to finish.