What Happens if You Refuse Treatment After Your Car Accident?

Nobody likes to spend their day in the emergency room. Not only is it inconvenient, but it can also be a very unpleasant experience. That’s why so many people refuse treatment after their car accident in Indianapolis.

If your car accident doesn’t seem all that serious, you may feel silly going to the hospital. If you feel okay, you figure you must be okay. The problem is, you’re not a doctor. You have no idea whether you’re injured or not. There could be things wrong with you that you can’t see.

One thing any car accident lawyer in Indianapolis will tell you that you have to get medical treatment after your crash. You don’t really have a choice. If you don’t see a doctor, there will be no way to prove that you were injured. This means that, if your insurance claim is denied for some reason, you’ll have no way to prove your damages.

If you’ve been injured in any sort of car accident, it’s important that you go to the hospital. It’s also important that you seek the help of an experienced car accident attorney in Indiana.

What Kind of Injuries Typically Go Untreated?

For some reason, after a car crash, a lot of people assume they’re okay. They figure, if they don’t see any blood, they must be fine. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Some of the most serious types of injuries aren’t visible at all.

Two of the worst injuries that go untreated after a car accident seem to be internal injuries and traumatic brain injuries.

There are several types of internal injuries that you can suffer in a car crash. Some of these include:

  • Organ damage
  • Internal bleeding
  • Punctured lung
  • Aneurysm
  • Blood clots

While these may not sound that serious, if left untreated, any of these can prove fatal. This is why, even if you feel okay at first, you need to get checked out by a medical professional. They can do the tests necessary to determine if you’ve suffered any internal injuries.

Some of these tests include:

  • MRS
  • CT scan
  • X-Ray
  • Physical Examination
  • Neurological examination

When the emergency room staff does your neurological examination, they may detect a traumatic brain injury (TBI).

What is a TBI?

A traumatic brain injury is caused when you suffer a severe blow to the head. It is invisible. You can’t see it and you usually don’t feel it at first. It can be hours or even days before you notice the symptoms of a TBI.

Some of the common symptoms of a TBI include:

  • Nausea
  • Headaches
  • Insomnia or fatigue
  • Short-term memory loss
  • Long-term memory loss
  • Inability to concentrate
  • Depression
  • Anxiety

At first, you may confuse some of these with the general reactions to being in a car accident. However, they could very well be a TBI. This is why you need to seek immediate medical treatment.

If you suffer a TBI, your Indianapolis car accident lawyer will demand significant damages. The long-term issues caused by a TBI can be devastating. You may never be able to work again. Or, you may simply never recover.

Your Indianapolis Car Accident Attorney Needs Your Medical Records

A person with pain after refusing treatment after a car accident

In order to be compensated for your injuries, you’re going to need proof. The best way to prove you were injured is to submit your medical records. If you don’t go to the hospital, your lawyer will have no way to even show you were injured.

If you wait too long to seek treatment, the defendant’s attorney will argue that something other than the accident caused your injuries. This is why it’s important to go to the emergency room right away.

The other issue is that your doctor may need to testify as to your injuries. If you don’t get examined by a doctor right away, they may not be able or willing to testify at trial. For example, if you need future medical treatment, you may need a medical expert to testify to that fact. The only way they can do this is if you actually get treatment.

Contact an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer in Indianapolis Today

If you’re hurt in a car accident, you’re going to need help. An experienced car accident lawyer in Indianapolis at Rowe and Hamilton can fight to get you the compensation you deserve. They’ll review your case and let you know what it may be worth. They’ll also answer any questions you may have. Call today and schedule your free initial consultation. And remember – you pay nothing until you settle your case.

View these other frequently asked questions pages:

How Much Can You Really Expect to Get in Your Indiana Car Accident Lawsuit?

What Happens if You Refuse Treatment After Your Car Accident?

What Kind of Out of Pocket Expenses Will You Have in Your Car Accident Case?

Read More Related Articles