When involved in an accident, you may experience a wide range of emotions, from frustration to shock. However, in the blur of people rushing to help, you may refuse medical attention as you feel fine. Unfortunately, you may experience symptoms of injuries associated with your injuries days later, leaving you unsure how to proceed. You may assume that because you denied medical attention, you can’t file a lawsuit against the negligent party responsible for the injuries you’ve suffered. The following blog explores what you should know if this reflects your circumstances and how a Wesley Chapel, FL, personal injury lawyer can assist you.
Why Do People Refuse Medical Attention After Accidents?
There are a number of reasons someone may deny medical attention after involvement in an injury. Unfortunately, if the injured party does not have insurance or cannot afford a hospital co-pay, they may refuse treatment.
Similarly, some people may feel like they escaped the accident with only bumps or bruises. However, this is not always true. While some may feel fine immediately after the incident, this could be due to the body’s adrenaline production, which masks the pain they would be experiencing. Once the shock of the accident wears off, they will likely feel pain. Also, some injuries may not immediately present with symptoms. This is most commonly the case with traumatic brain injuries or internal organ damage. Unfortunately, failure to receive immediate treatment can worsen these conditions.
How Will This Impact My Ability to File a Lawsuit?
When you refuse medical treatment following an injury, you may worry that it will prohibit you from filing a lawsuit. However, this is not true. If you do not seek medical care, you can still pursue compensation. Unfortunately, this delay in care can impact the outcome of the case, though.
In some instances, the defense may argue the injuries you sustained were not severe enough since you did not seek medical care, thus voiding your claim for compensation. Similarly, they may be able to hold you partially liable for the severity of your injuries. When you do not seek medical care, you fail to mitigate damages, and the injuries you sustained can become worse over time without treatment. As such, your compensation could be reduced by your percentage of fault because Florida is a comparative negligence state.
If involved in an accident, you must take the necessary steps to protect yourself. Even if you don’t think the injuries you sustained warrant care, you should still request emergency medical technicians to examine you. If you do not want to go to the hospital, you should see your primary care doctor as soon as possible.
Finally, you’ll want to contact an experienced personal injury attorney from the Law Offices of Matthew J. Jowanna as soon as possible. Our firm understands how devastating these incidents can be. As such, we will fight for the compensation you are entitled to when another person’s negligence leaves you with injuries and high medical bills. Contact us today to learn more.