Medical Treatment Mistakes in Chicago Car Accident Cases
In order to file the most successful claim possible, there are a number of mistakes an individual should avoid immediately following an accident beginning with refusing medical attention or not following up with medical treatment. The scene of an accident can often be hectic and the adrenaline and confusion can often make it difficult for people to know that they really need medical attention. This, however, is a mistake as injuries could appear later on once the adrenaline wears off.
Insurance companies see a refusal of medical treatment or lack of following up with medical treatment as a red flag, that can make it difficult to recover damages for those injuries later on. With that in mind, a Chicago auto accident attorney should be contacted to advise the impacted individual on what steps to take and help ensure they avoid any potential mistakes related to medial care.
Importance of Immediate Attention
The jarring and whipping of the neck and spine can result in a variety of injuries. Some of those injuries result in immediate pain, yet others cause increased discomfort and pain over time. If a medical professional at the scene such as an EMT suggests that an accident victim receives medical treatment, then the accident victim should consider that professional advice and direction very carefully. Even if the accident victim thinks they don’t require immediate medical treatment, they should consult with their Primary Care Physician within a day or two after the accident to ensure that they have not suffered some latent injury.
Many accident victims become preoccupied with completing the repairs to their vehicle and getting back to work following their car accident in Chicago, so they make mistakes regarding their medical treatment. However, the accident victim may begin to experience pain that prevent them from working or aggravating their injuries by working. An accident victim who tries to “tough it out,” ends up missing more work once their injuries are fully realized.
When an injury occurs in the accident and the person refuses medical treatment, the adverse insurance company or the adverse party can claim that the person refused medical treatment because they did not need it. They can reject any suggestion that an injury happened in the accident when someone refused medical treatment after the accident.
Importance of Following Up With Treatment
Failing to follow a doctor’s orders is probably one of the most common mistakes occurring in Chicago car accidents. Once a significant gap happens in treatment, the adverse insurance company claims a gap in treatment because unnecessary. The other party or insurance company will argue that the pain subsided or disappeared; and therefore no need for subsequent treatment because a rational person would get treatment for the pain they are experiencing.
There are many reasons to not follow up on treatment, but it has an immediate impact on a person’s case. Oftentimes, people have to return to work or deal with a personal situation and suffer through the pain. It makes it harder sometimes even impossible to settle a case when any kind of meaningful gap occurs.
After an accident, an accident victim should work with their medical professional to properly assess their injuries. Once fully assessed, the medical provider should develop a unique treatment plan to the accident victim. It should include medically necessary treatment for a full recovery.
Treatment Plans
During the course of treatment, plans should modify based upon the circumstances of each accident victim and their response. The treatment appropriate for any particular accident victim should vary depending on the victim’s age, social, family and medical history; their physical condition, limitations and abilities; the location, nature, and severity of the accident victim’s injury and symptoms; and the accident victim’s personal response to the treatment.
At times throughout the treatment plan, x-rays and MRIs may be necessary. The results of those tests may then be considered for future treatment and to adjust an existing treatment plan. When a meaningful gap occurs in medical treatment, that diminishes the value in the eyes of the adverse carrier. Oftentimes it precludes the opportunity to resolve the matter short of litigation. Avoiding these medical treatment mistakes strengthens a Chicago car accident case.
Contact Lerner and Rowe Injury Attorneys if you need help today.