If you have been involved in a minor car accident, there may have been some damage to your vehicle, even though you and your passengers feel fine after the incident. It is likely that you feel nervous or anxious in the aftermath due to the rush of adrenaline, but, like many people, you may see no reason to go to a doctor if you did not suffer any visible injuries.
It is actually common for the rush of adrenaline after car accidents to mask any pain or injuries initially. In addition, many injuries, including serious ones such as traumatic brain injuries, can start to become apparent only in the hours and days after the accident. This is why it is always important to visit a doctor after you have been in an auto accident, even if you feel completely fine.
Can delaying medical assistance hurt my insurance claim?
You may decide not to see a doctor immediately after the accident for fear of needing to pay unnecessary medical bills or for not wanting to seem over-dramatic. However, the act of seeing a doctor without delay after the accident can hurt your potential insurance claim rather than help you save money.
Insurance companies always want to find reasons for why a patient might be exaggerating in regard to an injury or changing their story regarding the physical implications of the incident. If you take action immediately to get checked out by a medical professional, they should be able to assess the impact of the accident. If you go to a doctor a week after the car accident and the doctor is able to identify bruises and sprains, the insurance company may be inclined to argue that the injuries could be caused by an unrelated event.
Taking action for the sake of your health
Maximizing your chances of being successful in a legal claim is significant, but nothing is as important as looking after your health. As someone who has just been in a car accident, there is the possibility of internal bleeding, concussion or bone fractures. You should try to get an assessment by a medical professional as soon as possible.
