If you were injured in an accident due to someone else’s negligence, you can take legal action to seek monetary compensation for your damages. Generally, regardless of the severity of your injuries, it is imperative to seek immediate medical attention. Refusing to see a doctor or receive medical treatment could not only be dangerous for your health but can negatively affect the outcome of your claim. If you have been injured in an accident, it is in your best interest to contact an adept New York City Personal Injury Lawyer who can help you understand your legal options and fight to attain the maximum compensation you deserve. Please continue reading to learn how refusing medical treatment can negatively impact your claim.
Do victims have a right to refuse medical care at the scene of the accident?
In New York, injured individuals can deny or refuse medical treatment as long as they are conscious and capable of deciding with sound reasoning. However, if an injured individual is unconscious, the appropriate emergency medical treatment will be performed. That said, a conscious victim can turn down any emergency medical care, regardless of its risks. Despite having this right, it is never wise to initially deny medical care after an accident. As mentioned above, refusing medical care is dangerous for your health and can negatively impact your injury claim.
In some cases, injured individuals refuse medical treatment at the accident scene because they think they have not suffered severe injuries or that they will heal on their own because they seem minor. However, the adrenaline released after an accident could mask your symptoms. You may also believe you were not injured, but some injuries may not be visible or have delayed effects. If you wait for treatment, your injuries could worsen, leading to an extended recovery period or long-term medical problems. Therefore, you should always seek medical attention as soon as possible.
What are the potential consequences of refusing medical treatment after an accident?
Unfortunately, you may make decisions that could negatively impact your chances of recovering monetary compensation for your damages without even realizing it. One such decision includes refusing or delaying medical care, whether at the accident scene or later during treatment. Refusing treatment can harm you in multiple ways.
Following an accident, injured individuals are responsible for mitigating further damage in an accident by taking the necessary measures, such as seeking appropriate medical attention so that an injury can heal as quickly as possible. If an injured individual refuses medical treatment and disregards treatment parameters, it will hamper their chances of recovering full compensation for their damages. Typically, the insurance company will claim if you did not need to treat your injuries, then you may be exaggerating their severity. In addition, they could argue that you are not taking the appropriate steps to mitigate your damages by failing to adhere to treatment guidelines.
If you’ve been injured in an accident due to someone else’s negligence, it is vital to seek immediate medical attention and hire an experienced lawyer from the legal team at James Newman, P.C. Our firm is prepared to guide you through every step of this complex legal process to assist you in fighting for the full and fair compensation to which you are entitled.
