Photo by Diana Polekhina on Unsplash
New York City is a tough place, but New Yorkers are even tougher. Here in New York, we are proud
to be tough; we are ‘New York Tough!’
But our toughness is not such a good thing after a car accident.
One of the worst things a New Yorker can do after being injured in a car accident is putting on a tough
face and refusing to get consistent treatment for their injuries. If you refuse to go to the doctor for an
injury you see as minor, or stop following up after a first visit even though you’re still experiencing
pain, it could completely ruin your insurance claim after a car accident.
If you do not obtain thorough medical records for an injury resulting from a car accident, you will not
be able to recover anything a few years down the line when you realize you still have pain or
discomfort in your joints from the accident.
Don’t say “I’m fine” if you are not actually fine.
It is almost instinctive to minimize injuries or try to push through them. We get it; going to the doctor
isn’t fun, it’s time-consuming, and usually entails a hefty price tag. That is certainly all true. But when
you put in the time for consistent doctor visits, it will not only aid in your physical recovery, but it will
also strengthen your personal injury claim tenfold.
Your health is priority number one and should not be minimized. Regardless of if you think you “will
be fine,” being evaluated by medical professionals as soon as possible after an accident will ensure that
you get the proper care that you need. But even after that first emergency visit, be sure to follow up
with your doctor. Even minor injuries can have lasting effects, and sometimes they might even get
worse with time. Consistent check-ins with your doctor about the injuries you sustained in an accident
can actually help prevent future injuries from developing on top of the old ones.
Additionally, when you are consistently treated after a car accident, you will have a record of almost
irrefutable proof of your injuries that can be used to maximize your compensation in a personal
injury claim. No insurance company will be able to dispute what injuries the accident caused you, how
bad they were, what pain you experienced, what treatments you required, and how much taking care of
all of it cost because your medical records will show of all of that.
Without detailed medical records, it can be all but impossible to prove your case. Insurance companies
will say that a lack of follow-up visits means your injuries must have been minor, regardless of how
painful you know they were. And if you refuse medical attention altogether, insurance companies will
flat-out allege that you were not even injured – even if you have wounds to show for it.
Here at Shalom Law, PLLC, we have seen New Yorkers experience terrible car accidents and sustain
multiple injuries, but ultimately recover very little because they do not have a consistent medical
record documenting what they went through. And we do not want that to happen to you.
Shalom Law, PLLC is here to help.
If you have been injured in a car accident, the Personal Injury attorneys at Shalom Law urge you to see
a doctor, first and foremost.
Next, call an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney. You will need an attorney on your side who
knows how to best utilize your medical records to substantiate your claim for losses while also
navigating around the evasive tactics of insurance companies. The attorneys at Shalom Law can do just
that. We are prepared to fight hard for you to ensure your rights are protected and you get the
compensation you deserve. Call us today for a free consultation: (718) 917-9474.
This memorandum relates to general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Facts and
circumstances vary. We make no undertaking to advise recipients of any legal changes or
developments.
SHALOM LAW, PLLC.
105-13 Metropolitan Avenue
New York 11375
(718) 971-9474
www.shalomlawny.com
