Car accidents are often jarring, leaving those involved in a state of shock and adrenaline. In the aftermath, you may feel numb, and as a result, are not aware of certain injuries you may have sustained. If you don’t report your car accident injuries right away you can still sue for compensation, though the process may be more complex. For more information and guidance during the legal process of filing a claim or lawsuit, reach out to a San Mateo County, California motor vehicle accident lawyer today.
Can I Still Sue if I Don’t Report My Car Accident Injuries Right Away?
Yes, even if you don’t report your car accident injuries right away you can still take legal action against the negligent party. Any time you are involved in an accident caused by another person’s negligence, it is within your right to pursue compensation for your associated damages and expenses. You can do this by filing a claim with the negligent party’s insurance or by filing a lawsuit against them.
How Does Failing to Report My Injuries Impact My Case?
Although you still have the option to take legal action, when you don’t report your injuries immediately afterward it can have negative implications for your case. By failing to seek medical attention or report your injuries after the accident you are making yourself vulnerable because insurance companies and attorneys can take advantage of your lack of action.
If you try to file an insurance claim after originally not getting checked out by a doctor, the insurance providers will examine every detail of every aspect of your case. Insurance companies are notorious for implementing various tactics in an attempt to award the lowest settlements possible. They could use the fact that you did not report your injuries originally to make an argument that they must not be that serious or have impacted you that significantly since you did not feel the need to report them right away.
In a lawsuit, the defendant’s attorney could use the same argument. They will exploit your lack of reporting as a way to express to a judge or jury that their client should not be responsible for these injuries when they were not important enough to you in the first place. They could also claim that you did not sustain the injuries from the accident at all and that you were hurt at another time and are trying to cash a check.
Seeking medical attention after a car accident is important for many reasons, the most important being to identify hidden injuries or symptoms and ensure your health and safety. However, it is also important to be evaluated to avoid any complications and protect your legal rights. Reach out to an experienced personal injury lawyer today to discuss your case and obtain skilled representation.
