There are many consequences when a careless driver injures you. With all the variables to consider, it's tempting to skip a doctor’s examination. After all, there are long wait times, excessive paperwork, and testing that must be done. However, delaying or ignoring treatment can negatively impact your health and your personal injury claim. 

How Can Delaying Medical Care Affect Your Personal Injury Claim? 

1. Evidentiary Deficiencies 

The results of a personal injury case rely on the strength of your attorney's evidence. Medical records are the most substantial evidence available. Through x-rays, prescriptions, and medical records, attorneys build a case showing the collision's full effects when the injuries were first sustained. 

2. Long-Term Effects 

Individuals may not believe that their injuries are severe and may not feel discomfort after an accident. However, once the shock wears off and the adrenaline levels decrease, the injuries' depth can be fully understood. Internal injuries, whiplash, and concussions can take days or weeks to manifest. After a crash, doctors will diagnose and treat the injuries before they become complicated or worsen. 

There are also possible psychological effects that need to be accounted for by pain and suffering damages. Many involved in car accidents experience anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) even long after the event. Seeking help through a therapist or psychiatrist early can positively affect an individual's state of mind. 

3. Reduced Compensation

Not seeing a doctor or seeking treatment makes obtaining damages more difficult. When a personal injury claim is filed, you're usually filing suit against the defendant's insurance company, not the defendant. The insurance adjuster will do everything they can to reduce the damages their company will have to pay. By not obtaining medical help immediately, they can argue that the injuries were not as serious and that the amount being asked for is too high. 

4. Denied Claims

Most insurance companies have time limits on the medical care they'll cover following an accident. The longer you wait, the more likely they are to deny the claim. You'll have to pay for the medical bills out-of-pocket or with your own insurance, which will likely increase. 

After getting evaluated by a medical professional, a personal injury lawyer will have a better understanding of your case. For over 20 years, the attorneys at Kidwell & Gallagher have treated their clients like family. They provide a welcoming, comfortable atmosphere where you can freely discuss what your goals for the case are and how the injuries have affected your life. For more information on their practice areas, visit their website. If you're in the Elko, NV, area, you can schedule a free consultation at (775) 738-1000.