A car accident can leave the victim with fright and confusion. A great number of car accident victims are left confused and uncertain following the collision, as the impact of two vehicles colliding is intense. These factors might have an impact on the initial injury assessments made by car accident victims. Additionally, a doctor's recommended course of treatment may not be agreeable to a car accident victim in the future. Car accident victims are left wondering whether or not they can file a claim despite having declined medical treatment after the accident.

Your injuries will be documented and linked to the collision if you see a doctor immediately after an accident. Although it may be more difficult to establish your claim and obtain compensation, you may still have a case if you failed to seek medical attention promptly for your car accident injuries.

You should seek medical attention immediately if you have not already been evaluated, diagnosed, and treated for any injuries you have sustained after the accident. There is a chance that you can recover financial damages even if you did not suffer injuries that required treatment. It is important that you contact an experienced Connecticut car accident attorney in order to consult regarding your case and the available legal options.

What Happens If I Refuse Medical Treatment Following an Accident in Connecticut?

Immediately following a car accident, the primary focus may be on the well-being of passengers or a family member in the vehicle. Your thoughts may be preoccupied with ensuring the safety of your family and other important developments happening at the scene. Victims of accidents will occasionally decline medical treatment at the scene. They might believe that they have not sustained serious injuries. They might see the crash as insignificant due to the fact that they managed to get out of their vehicle and it did not sustain severe damage. In addition, they might be concerned about how they can pay for an ambulance or a visit to the emergency room, or they might believe that the injury they sustained is going to heal without treatment.

It is important to understand that an accident can trigger the release of adrenaline, which may disguise your symptoms or, at the very least, make them seem less severe. It is possible that your symptoms will worsen in the days and hours following the accident. Delaying medical attention is harmful to one's well-being as the severity of injuries may significantly worsen. It may also lengthen your recovery period or cause you to develop chronic medical conditions.

It is important to seek medical attention and treatment without delay after becoming aware of the injury, even if it is several hours, days, or weeks later. When you visit the doctor, be sure that you describe your symptoms in relation to the time period preceding and following the accident. Be clear when you explain how you think that the accident may have caused your injury. One of the more prevalent soft tissue injuries sustained in automobile accidents is whiplash, which may exhibit a delayed onset. Despite the fact that you are seeking compensation, your health, especially your ongoing health, should be your highest priority at this time.

Why Is Refusing Medical Treatment at the Scene a Problem?

Refusing medical attention following a car accident may have negative legal consequences. You may be jeopardizing your health as well. After an accident, seeking medical attention demonstrates how seriously you take your injuries and the aftermath of the accident.

If you fail to seek medical attention following an injury, your attorney will be unable to provide documented evidence in support of your injuries in the event that you choose to file a lawsuit against the negligent party. After a car accident, the collection of medical evidence can make or break your claim. If you decline medical attention at the scene, the insurance company will undoubtedly attempt to take advantage of that refusal for their own benefit. They will argue that you were not injured in the collision because you would not refuse treatment if you were injured.

It is essential to understand that if you refuse treatment at the scene, you can still file a claim. You may still visit Urgent Care, the Emergency Room, or your primary care physician if you are in pain.

Connecticut limits the time you have to file a personal injury claim to two years from the date of the accident. You must, however, demonstrate your injuries with supporting documentation, such as medical records. Your compensation may be increased in proportion to the severity of your injuries, even if the other driver was completely at fault. In the absence of medical records proving your injuries, however, it may be challenging to establish fault.

What if I Disagree With a Treatment Plan or Refuse Medical Care Later in the Process?

It is just as important to stick to the medical treatment plan that you establish following an accident as it is to receive treatment after the accident. Your claim's value may be diminished if you neglect appointments or decline treatment. In the event that you discontinue treatment or decline a physician's recommendation, the insurance company will argue that you have completely recovered. In an effort to increase the value of your claim, the insurance company may even allege that you are intentionally intensifying your injuries.

With regard to your own medical care, you have the right to make your own decisions. Despite the opposition of insurance companies, some maintain a belief in chiropractic care. Insurance companies hold the view that massage and stretching are sufficient pain management techniques, in contrast to those who advocate for medication or injections.

One may question whether a doctor is prescribing the most appropriate treatment plan. You may want to look into an alternative treatment or seek a second opinion. An insurance company will have a more difficult time deducting the cost of an alternative treatment that is acknowledged as suitable for your injury by the medical community.

Although adhering to medical advice is beneficial, particularly when a personal injury claim is in process, feel free to inquire about alternative treatment options or ask questions regarding the prescribed course of action. It is critical to engage in a conversation with one's family members if they possess reservations regarding the physician's recommendations. You should not decide on a treatment plan based on the amount of compensation you may receive.

Your CT personal injury attorney can provide insight into the potential influence of certain aspects of your treatment that might impact the value of your injury claim. Unlike the insurance company, your attorney is working to protect your rights and the full value of your claim for compensation.

What Steps Can I Take to Protect My CT Personal Injury Claim?

Despite declining treatment at the scene, it is still important that you go to the hospital without delay. Contact an experienced CT personal injury lawyer as soon as possible if you refuse treatment at the scene after an accident.

By rescheduling the appointment, you might be able to avoid having your claim damaged. Consult your attorney regarding the potential ramifications of declining a particular treatment and how your claim may be affected. While medical treatment decisions ultimately rest with you and your family, it is crucial to be aware of the potential implications for your CT personal injury claim.

"Personal injury" is the legal term that refers to an injury suffered due to the negligence of a third party. In Connecticut, you must prove that the negligence of the other party directly caused your injuries in order to file a personal injury claim.

In the event that you and the opposing party are unable to reach a settlement through litigation, the amount of compensation you are entitled to receive in your personal injury case may be determined by a jury at trial. Your attorney will present evidence to the jury during the trial. Should the jury consider your failure to seek medical help after the accident as a contributing factor, they might award you reduced compensation or no compensation at all.

Call Attorney Brandon J. Broderick Day or Night if You Have Questions About Your CT Personal Injury Case

Consult with a personal injury attorney in Connecticut regarding your particular circumstances and whether or not medical records are crucial. Although it is possible to file a claim despite declining medical care, your attorney might object because doing so could make the case more complicated or less valuable in the absence of medical records.

For decades, Brandon J. Broderick has represented injury victims in Connecticut.  Whether you have received medical treatment or not, we are able to assist you in filing a claim for compensation.

Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.