The Importance of Documented Treatment After an Auto Accident
After a serious car accident, some individuals decide to “tough it out” and choose not to get medical attention right away. They let days, or even weeks, go by and the pain only gets worse. They finally decide to go see a doctor and are diagnosed with a significant injury like a herniated disc or nerve damage.
Nevertheless, the gap in treatment time is something insurance adjusters routinely try to capitalize on when making an assessment on whether to offer a reasonable amount to settle a personal injury claim.
It is an undeniable fact – in order to build a factual case for your personal injury case after an auto accident, it is crucial that there is documented evidence of medical treatment. The more medical documentation you produce to the insurance adjuster in support of your claim, the more likely you are to obtain a settlement or verdict in your favour.
Insurance claims adjusters will frequently take the position that the lack of treatment is evidence that your injuries may have been caused by something else other than the accident or they have been overstated. We deal with adjusters making this argument on a daily basis.
A gap in treatment is an issue they’ll raise and it doesn’t help your claim, but it also doesn’t mean you won’t be able to get a settlement or verdict. You just need to be prepared to explain why the gap exists and we can clearly explain the rationale.
Once you are in treatment, it is important to document as much as possible. We recommend to clients to keep a diary detailing the challenges they faced with physical therapy so it gives the adjuster a clear picture of the challenges you faced in getting back to 100 percent. When you have finished all treatment and are discharged, we will request a complete copy of your full medical history from the treating physician so you don’t have to worry about collecting every record yourself.
Call now to learn how an attorney can help after an auto accident
Contact experienced personal injury lawyer Charlie J. Gillette, Jr. to set up a free, confidential consultation regarding your auto accident injury claim in Florida or Georgia. Call his office at 904-358-1304 or toll-free at 888-366-5904. If you are unable to visit one of the offices, Mr. Gillette, or a member of his team, can meet with you in your home or hospital room.
