How Long Do You Have to Seek Medical Treatment after an Accident in New York?

Accidents happen when we least expect them. Dealing with the accident and your injuries is never convenient. But can you afford to put off your medical treatment if you were involved in a car accident, or slipped and fell on someone else’s property?  What do you do if you feel fine and aren’t injured?  If your doctor tells you that nothing is wrong, can you get a second opinion?

Deciding when to seek medical care is your decision. However, the best option for both your personal and financial health is to get medically evaluated and treated as soon as possible after an accident. Many conditions may not be obvious but can still have significant consequences for you if left untreated. Acting quickly to address your injuries shows the other parties that you recognize the severity of the crash and are serious about treating your injuries. You can always choose to seek a second opinion on the severity and prognosis of your injuries.

Once you have been assessed and treated by a medical professional, your next step is to call an experienced New York personal injury attorney. The Brentwood, NY personal injury lawyers at The Carrion Law Firm are standing by to assist you with all of your needs. We can work with you to gather medical records and police reports, establish expert testimony on your injuries, estimate the value of your potential claim, and file your suit efficiently and on time. Call us today for your free initial consultation at (718) 841-0083 with our Manhattan car accident lawyer.

When Should You Get Medical Treatment after an Accident in New York?

Technically, there is no limit on how long you can wait to get medical treatment after an accident for the purposes of an injury lawsuit. However, there are a number of reasons why you should seek medical evaluation as soon as possible after an accident.

First, your health should be your first priority. In certain cases, some injuries sustained after an accident may seem mild but get worse over time. Others have the potential to turn into life-threatening conditions if untreated. Even if you think you are fine, you should always make sure.

Second, acting quickly and decisively shows that you take your health and your injuries seriously. Getting medical attention immediately after an accident shows the insurance company and a potential jury that you did what you could to care for your injuries after someone else caused them.

Third, leaving a longer period of time between the accident and the medical treatment opens the door for the insurance company to claim that you sustained your injuries after the accident. By making this argument, the insurance company hopes to deflect liability for the full extent of your injuries. It is always best to leave as little doubt as possible when it comes to who caused your injuries.

Common Accident Injuries that Require Medical Treatment

No matter how forceful an accident may be, any collision has the potential to cause serious or even lethal injuries to everyone involved. While victims may be able to tell immediately what hurts, some of these injuries may not present themselves for days or even weeks after the accident. Below are just some of the most common injuries that accident victims may sustain that can worsen without immediate medical treatment.

Broken Bones

When an accident creates a forceful impact on the body, you should be concerned about fractures. Accidents can lead to fractured ribs, arms, wrists, or legs, which may require surgery or casts to allow the body to heal properly. If untreated, fractures can very easily become worse.

Traumatic Brain Injuries

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), such as concussions, occur when forceful impact causes the brain to make contact with the skull. Brain injuries may be caused without any direct contact to the head and may not present with any immediate symptoms, which is why they can go undetected until they become more serious. It is critical that you seek medical evaluation if you believe you may have sustained a TBI.

Whiplash

The force of an accident may cause your neck to twist or bend in a way that can cause soft tissue damage. This injury has the potential to hinder most body movements and create substantial discomfort for as long as it is left untreated.

Internal Bleeding

Sometimes, accident victims may suffer damage to their internal organs. If undetected, this damage may only be discovered once it has created health complications that will require surgical procedures. Again, this is another condition that may not be apparent immediately after an accident.

What If You are Unhappy with Your Medical Treatment after an Accident in New York?

You always have the option to seek a second opinion on your injuries and prognosis for recovery. Your legal case for recovery after an injury in New York will not be affected if you choose to get a second opinion.

For certain types of injuries, such as TBIs or spinal injuries, a specialist’s opinion may be necessary to determine the extent of medical care and physical therapy necessary to fully recover. This information will be vital for determining damages in your potential lawsuit. If you are unhappy with your medical treatment, contact an experienced Bronx personal injury lawyer.

How Long Do You Have to File a Lawsuit for Accident Injuries in New York?

According to New York law, personal injury victims must file their personal injury lawsuit within three years of the date of the accident. The longer you wait to get medical treatment, the harder it will be to file your suit within the time limit (also known as the “statute of limitations”). Filing a lawsuit may take time, particularly for complicated injuries, so it is important that you act quickly and speak with a Garden City car accident lawyer as soon as possible to give yourself the best chance of recovery.

We Can Get You Compensation for Medical Treatment of Your Accident Injuries

No matter how severe your injuries are, you deserve compensation for the damages that someone else’s negligence caused. Flushing personal injury lawyers at The Carrion Law Firm want to see all our clients recover what they need to recovery comfortably from their injuries. To speak with one of our experienced Queens personal injury attorneys for free, call us at (718) 841-0083.