What might happen if you wait to see a doctor after a crash?

A car accident can suddenly throw your life into disarray. The stress and adrenaline you experience from being in an accident may mask the pain you are feeling from the injury sustained in the accident. It can be tempting to let wait to see if the pain gets better before seeking medical treatment. However, waiting to see a doctor after a collision can have an impact on your ability to recover for your damages. The delay in treatment will result in the negligent party’s insurance arguing that the injuries were unrelated to the accident. Seeking immediate medical attention allows the physician to document your injuries and link them directly to the crash. The negligent party’s insurance company may also that you failed to reduce your damages by failing to properly treat your injuries. Injuries can easily worsen over time, and insurance companies may blame the worsening of your injuries on the lack of treatment if you fail to seek medical attention. Seeking immediate attention can assist you in properly identifying the injuries you sustained in the accident.  This will assist in maximizing your recovery for your injuries. For more on your options after a serious injury, please see our Personal Injury Overview.