After an accident, adrenaline is surging through your body, emotions run high, and your first thought may not be to seek medical attention in the midst of so many overwhelming factors. That would be a mistake. Waiting to seek medical treatment can cost you a valid personal injury claim, undermining your ability to pay medical bills and recover financially from the accident.

Even if you think you feel fine coming out of the car, it’s no guarantee you actually are - the surge of adrenaline following a crash can mask pain, and many injuries can take hours or even days to become apparent. A prompt medical evaluation not only ensures your physical well-being but also provides proof your injuries were caused by the accident. If you delay treatment, insurers may claim that your injuries were incurred after the accident and unfairly deny your claim. 

How A Delay Can Weaken Your Claim

It’s well-established in medical research that certain conditions develop gradually rather than present symptoms right away. Such conditions include:



• Strains, sprains, and whiplash-related trauma, which typically worsen gradually as inflammation rises
• Concussions and other mild traumatic brain injuries, which may not produce symptoms for hours or days as the brain responds to trauma

Stress and adrenaline can often mask injuries due to a natural “fight or flight” response. Though delayed symptoms are medically well-documented, insurance companies often use any delays between treatment and the accident to question severity of causation of the injuries. Insurance companies are always looking out for their own bottom line and will take any excuse to deny or underpay a claim. 

Adjusters may ask the question, “If the injury were as serious as you claim, why didn’t you seek immediate medical care?”

Gaps In The Timeline Can Weaken Case Credibility

Delays in seeking medical care aren’t the only thing that can impact an injury claim. Stopping treatment earlier than recommended, or having significant gaps between appointments, may also be used to question the credibility of your claim. After you get an immediate physical evaluation, it is essential to stick to your doctor’s recommendations for continuous care and keep appointments. 

Intermittent treatment may cause insurers to question how relevant later care was to the injuries incurred by the accident. Following reasonable medical recommendations and keeping documentation of all of your treatments will help establish how the injury had a continuous impact on your daily life, linking together the accident, your injuries, and the difficulties the injury has caused you. 

Work With A California Personal Injury Attorney Today

Delaying or avoiding medical treatment following an accident due to concern about cost could end up not only worsening your injuries, but also costing you the opportunity to recoup financially. When you delay care due to financial uncertainty, insurers may use it against you to argue the injury was minor or that it was unrelated to the accident. Prompt medical attention provides official documentation of your injuries so you can afford to get the care you deserve, and get the compensation you are legally entitled to so you can get back on your feet. Call the Law Office of Ball & Yorke to consult with an experienced California personal injury attorney today.