As a victim of a car accident, you may now be
Unfortunately, it can end quite abruptly, particularly if you give the insurance adjusters any cause to dismiss your claim. This can happen if you make these simple mistakes with your post-car accident medical care.
1. Not Seeing a Doctor ASAP
You need to see a doctor right after the accident, regardless of how you think you feel. Even if the EMTs come on the scene and perform a routine check, you should also go to the hospital.
Ambulances have limited resources at their disposal to check your medical status, and their job is to get you stable for transport, not to treat you. They might not be able to see something bigger going on, so go to a hospital to see what your condition is.
2. Ignoring Symptoms
Some of your symptoms may appear only the next day or even much later. Whiplash symptoms, for instance, can manifest even a few weeks after you got injured. Unfortunately, many people can dismiss these symptoms and not visit a doctor as soon as they appear. This can lead to various conditions getting worse and needing more treatment.
3. Canceling Appointments
You’ll most likely have to make several doctor’s visits throughout your recovery, and it’s imperative not to skip on any of them. Canceled appointments could be a red flag, and the insurance company may begin to suspect the injuries you are claiming aren’t as serious since you don’t seem to take them seriously either.
Of course, you don’t need to panic if you cancel or reschedule one appointment. However, as a general rule, try to stick to them as much as you can, or provide very good reasons why you have to miss them.
4. Not Following Recommended Treatment
Similarly to the previous entry on this list, not following the doctor’s treatment could potentially make the insurance company believe you are exaggerating in your insurance claim. As a result, you should stick to all the treatment your doctor prescribes, and only modify something (dosages, medications, etc.) after the treating physician approves it.
5. Not Following the Doctor’s Recommendations
If the doctor tells you to stay on bed rest for two weeks, then don’t get up unless they’ve specifically approved it. Some insurance companies may hire an investigator to see if you’re behaving differently from what you claim, so it’s best to stay within the doctor’s recommendations.
Ensure your legal rights are protected right from the start of your car accident claim. Get in touch with an experienced St. Louis car accident lawyer 24/7 at (314) 361-4242.