At Hanning & Sacchetto, LLP, our Whittier personal injury attorneys know the importance of seeking medical care immediately after a vehicle collision or workplace accident with injuries in California.
We also fully understand how delays in seeking medical treatment can affect our clients’ claims. We have customized legal strategies to address this issue to help them pursue the compensation they need to get their lives back on track. Here, we discuss both.
Will Delaying Medical Treatment After an Accident with Injuries Impact My Ability to File a Personal Injury Claim in California?
Delayed medical treatment can significantly impact personal injury claims, potentially affecting the outcome and the amount of compensation awarded. One critical aspect of a personal injury claim is establishing a direct link between the accident and the injuries sustained. Delays in medical treatment can create doubts about this causation. Insurance companies and defense attorneys may argue that the injuries were not severe or caused by an intervening event after the accident.
Immediate medical attention ensures proper care and documents the extent and severity of injuries at the time of the incident. Delaying treatment may lead insurers to downplay the seriousness of the injuries, suggesting that if the injuries were truly significant, the victim would have sought prompt medical care.
In addition, delayed treatment can exacerbate injuries, leading to complications or prolonged recovery times. This can make it more challenging to differentiate between the original injuries and any subsequent issues caused by the delay. It may also complicate calculating fair compensation for medical expenses and pain and suffering. The amount of compensation in personal injury claims is often based on medical records, treatment costs, and recovery prognosis. Delays in treatment can result in incomplete or inconsistent medical documentation, making it harder to justify the full extent of the compensation sought.
Insurance companies often use delays in medical treatment to their advantage, employing tactics to diminish the claim’s value. They may request extensive documentation and proof of the connection between the accident and the injuries, knowing that gaps in treatment can weaken the claimant’s position. This can lead to reduced settlement offers or lower awards in court.
To maximize your chances of a successful claim and ensure you receive fair compensation, seeking medical attention immediately after an accident and following through with all recommended treatments is crucial. This approach safeguards your health and strengthens your legal position by providing precise and consistent medical documentation of your injuries.
How Can the Personal Injury Attorneys at Hanning & Sacchetto Help with My Claim?
Our experienced Whittier personal injury attorneys can help establish the connection between your accident and your injuries, even if there was a delay in seeking treatment. We can gather evidence such as witness statements, accident reports, and any available medical records to demonstrate that the accident caused the injuries.
We can help document valid reasons for the delay in seeking treatment. This might include factors such as lack of immediate symptoms, inability to access medical care, or personal circumstances that prevented timely treatment. By providing a reasonable explanation, we can mitigate the negative impact of the delay on your claim.
While delaying medical treatment can complicate a personal injury claim, it does not make it impossible to pursue. Our California personal injury attorneys can help build a strong case, provide necessary documentation, and advocate to ensure you receive fair compensation.
By leveraging our legal experience and resources, we can effectively address the challenges the delay poses and work to achieve a favorable outcome for your claim.
Contact Our Whittier Personal Injury Attorney Today
Call (562) 698-6446 today for a free consultation with our experienced personal injury attorneys in Whittier. We can help you understand your legal rights and options to pursue the best outcome for your unique claim.