When you are filing a claim for compensation for injuries following a car accident, the injuries and medical treatment are crucial to the claim for compensation. You need your doctor and any other medical care providers to be on your side and support your case. How do you ensure that they are willing to help you? You can avoid making mistakes that hurt your relationship with them and the value of your claim.
Mistakes NOT to Make When Dealing With Doctors After a Car Wreck
If you read this list of things not to do and notice that you have already made one of these mistakes—it does mean your case is ruined. An experienced car accident attorney will have strategies to minimize the damage. However, if possible, refrain from making these errors:
- Waiting to seek medical treatment. You should be examined by a doctor soon after your crash whether or not you believe that you are injured. Traumatic brain injury, back and spinal injuries, and internal bleeding are just a few of the injuries you could suffer and not experience symptoms until days after the wreck. If you do not seek prompt medical care, you jeopardize your health and give the insurance adjuster a reason to argue that your injuries were caused by an incident other than the accident.
- Not following up on medical care. Following your doctor’s advice and keeping all of your appointments with your doctor and other medical providers are important for your health and claim for compensation. When you miss an appointment or do not follow your doctor’s recommendations, he will be less sympathetic to your situation and less willing to be a witness. In addition, the adjuster could argue about the severity of your injuries and your interest in them when you do not follow up with your medical treatments.
- Not being honest. You need to be honest with your doctor about your medical history—even if you have a pre-existing injury to the same body part. Your doctor will rely on your medical history in treating your injury, and you may not receive the treatment you need if you are not truthful. In addition, this hurts your legal case because the insurance company and your doctor will eventually discover your untrue statements.
- Not talking about your pain. When you meet with your doctor or other medical care providers, you want to discuss your pain and how this limits your movements and activities. It is important that this is documented in your medical file to support your claim for compensation for the pain and suffering that you are experiencing. Without this type of documentation, the value of this portion of your claim may be reduced.
- Saying too much about the accident. You want to stick to the facts that you know and not get into extensive discussions about the accident with your doctor. Consistency in what you say to your doctor is important. The insurance adjuster will search your medical records and other statements you gave about the crash for inconsistencies to dispute your claim.
What is one of the best ways to avoid making a mistake with your doctor? Retain an experienced car accident attorney as soon as possible after your accident. At Tavss Fletcher, our legal team will guide you through the process of filing your claim so that you do not make mistakes that hurt your claim. To learn more, call our Norfolk office today to schedule your free initial consultation.
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