I Declined Treatment After a New Hampshire Car Accident: Can I Still Sue?

Many people decline treatment immediately after auto accidents in New Hampshire. Some are too shocked to realize the extent of their injuries, while others may simply want to go home and rest. Does your decision to refuse treatment at the scene make a personal injury lawsuit impossible? This is something you might want to discuss with an experienced personal injury attorney.

Why People Tend to Refuse Treatment After Car Crashes 

People may refuse treatment after car accidents for all kinds of reasons. Some are simply too shocked to realize what is going on. Others cannot feel pain because of the adrenaline flowing through their veins. Some people (particularly men) are reluctant to draw attention to their own injuries because they fear appearing weak. Some dread long hospital waits and would rather go home and rest.

Refusing Treatment Casts Doubt on Your Injuries

If you get into a car accident, you should accept treatment at the scene. Even if you feel 99 percent sure that you walked away unscathed, it still makes sense to let a paramedic evaluate you. Some injuries are incredibly difficult to detect. These include internal organ injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and hairline fractures.

If you refuse treatment, insurers may cast doubt on the legitimacy of your injuries at a later date. These insurers may argue that if your injuries were serious, you would have seen a doctor immediately after your crash.

See a Doctor Immediately

If you’re reading this and you still haven’t seen a doctor after your accident, do so immediately., Your injuries could be worsening without you realizing. For example, intracranial hemorrhaging can even be fatal, even if you feel completely normal. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

Once you receive a diagnosis, you can use your medical records to prove the legitimacy of your injuries and recover compensation. An experienced lawyer can help you push back against allegations that your injuries are less severe than you claim. For example, your lawyer might help you explain that you were shocked, shaken, and triggered by the “fight-or-flight” instinct after your crash.

Let your doctor know that you were involved in a car crash when you see them. Your doctor can then add this detail to your medical records, helping you establish a “cause-and-effect” relationship between the crash and your injuries. You might also need to see various specialists after your crash.

Can an Auto Accident Attorney in New Hampshire Help Me?

An car accident lawyer in New Hampshire may be able to help you determine whether a lawsuit is possible. While you should always accept treatment at the scene of a crash, refusal doesn’t necessarily prevent you from suing at a later date. After you receive treatment, consider speaking with Manning Zimmerman & Oliveira PLLC for further guidance.

Sources: 

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12018007/

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3678998/