Medical Treatment After a Lafayette Truck Accident

One of the most important steps to take after a truck accident in Lafayette is receiving medical treatment. Not only is receiving appropriate care best for the victim’s health, but it can also be critical to the success of a case. For more information, speak to an experienced truck accident attorney.

Refusing Medical Treatment is a Mistake

Refusing immediate medical treatment after a Lafayette truck accident is an unfortunately common mistake. An individual’s adrenaline levels are high after an accident, and it could mask their injuries. Even if someone feels okay immediately after a crash, serious pain and injuries may become apparent later on.

In some cases, individuals have a fear of doctors or hospitals. Other victims do not have health insurance, and they are concerned that if they go to the hospital, they will be burdened with a huge bill that they cannot afford.

Refusing medical treatment can create the appearance that the victim is uninjured. As a result, insurance adjusters may claim that the person was not hurt in this accident because they did not get seek medical attention.

Following the Doctor’s Orders

Many truck accident victims do receive medical treatment but fail to follow their doctors’ orders. Doctors are the experts, and if a doctor asks someone to return for a follow-up visit, have x-rays or MRIs done, or maybe go to physical therapy, they are doing that for the individual’s own good. If the individual does not follow a doctor’s orders, then the doctor is going to have to make note of that in their report.

When an insurance company gets those reports, they will assume that the victim’s injuries must not be very serious. When victims are not compliant with treatment, that can definitely affect the value of a truck accident case.

Treatment Gaps

A treatment gap can also hurt a person’s case because the insurance company will notice it when they analyze medical records. They could make the argument that the victim must not have been seriously hurt, otherwise they would not have skipped doctor’s appointments.

Discuss Your Case with a Truck Accident Attorney

In the aftermath of a serious truck accident, many people want to put the incident behind them and move on with life. Victims often have jobs to return to and children to take care of. They simply cannot afford to take time off work to see a doctor. Medical care can also be expensive, even for people who have health insurance. For those without insurance, that problem is even worse. Many people are intimidated by the possibility of paying out-of-pocket expenses for doctor’s visits, physical therapy, X-rays, and MRIs.

Unfortunately, failing to prioritize medical treatment after a Lafayette truck accident could be a huge mistake. Injuries may not be immediately apparent after a crash, and untreated conditions can worsen with time. Furthermore, insurance companies could use a lack of treatment to argue that the victim was not seriously hurt.

If you were injured in an accident, the best way to preserve your right to compensation is to seek the medical care you need and contact an attorney. A compassionate personal injury attorney could hold the at-fault driver and their insurance company accountable for all of your medical expenses. Furthermore, you may be able to receive payment for your lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. Call today to schedule a consultation and find out how an attorney can help.