In our day-to-day lives. We see a number of car accidents happening. It does not matter how major or minor they are; they do come with some high-risk injuries.
There are several types of injuries that cannot be seen as soon as the accident occurs. This can make the individuals underestimate the injury that they have suffered. So, this is the reason why medical treatment is important to be done.
Getting medical attention as soon as you get into an accident is very important. This can tell about the apparent injuries that have occured and also the ones that might show up later.
A car accident lawyer does have a proper role involved when it comes to seeking medical attention.
The Importance of Immediate Medical Attention
When a car accident occurs, immediately after that, there is a lot of shock and confusion. A lot of times, in this confusion and adrenaline, the injuries cannot be felt properly. There are some injuries like whiplash and serious brain injuries that do not show signs at the time they occur.
Seeking medical attention immediately does not only help the person who has been injured pretty badly. It does cover the ones that have suffered minor injuries.
Now, this means that the injury and its impact can lead to an early diagnosis and can save you from long recovery times later.
How do Medical Records Serve as Evidence?
When it is looked at from a legal perspective, the time after a car accident is very important. When medical attention is seeked right after an accident, there is a link established between the accident and the injury being diagnosed.
This link makes it very difficult for the opposing party to argue that the injury was preexisting or caused by a different event, whether they are at-fault drivers or insurance companies.
Now, the medical records contain information about the treatments recommended, the injuries that occured, and the prognosis as well. Also, in legal proceedings, a greatly documented medical history does have a lot of significance.
Medical Records Impact on Legal Case
Medical records do strengthen the legal case. Besides these records providing the diagnostic results, treatment plans, and progress notes, there is some other information that can impact the legal case and strengthen it.
Listing of Treatment: Medical costs are broken down properly when it comes to the bills. These contain the initial costs to the cost of therapy, treatment, and medication.
Bills and Compensation Claims: Medical bills are just considered to be some invoices when they actually are not. These can make the financial burden on the victim properly, as the compensation claims also depend on the cost of the medical bills.
Future Cost Projection: In the cases where there are some permanent injuries seen affecting individuals, the medical records can highlight the future costs that will be needed in the treatment.
Intangible Injuries: Besides the physical injuries and their data, these medical records can help you justify the non-economic damages as well. All these intangible injuries can make the court know that you have suffered both physical and emotional damages.
Is it a Legal Requirement?
According to the best personal injury lawyer, the answer to this question varies depending on the jurisdiction in which the accident has occurred. The extent of the injury and the impact of the injury to be justified in the court also plays a role here.
In Legal Claims
When it comes to legal claims, a person is very likely to provide the needed medical records to get the necessary claims. Also, in some jurisdictions, the opposing party can have a look at your medical records in order to verify the injuries that you have reported.
Health Perspective
Although it has always been advised by experts to get medical attention right after an accident occurs, it is not always recommended to seek medical attention after an accident as it is not a legal obligation.
Legal Perspective
If you are thinking of filing a claim or assisting the other party involved in the accident, then you must make sure that you get medical assistance as soon as the accident occurs.
This is very important as the other party might ask directly for the medical documentation that proves the injury of the plaintiff. The role of a lawyer here is very important as he can guide you through the proper steps when it comes to collecting medical records for a case.
Conclusion
Medical records after an accident, when recorded, can help later in filing claims. If a person is perfectly fine after an accident, there is no need to get medical attention after the accident as this will save them time and the other party involved in the accident as well. So, there is no one answer to the question of if this is a legal requirement or not.
