What A Delayed Diagnosis Means For Your Claim
An assumption that you are uninjured following an accident could result in a delay of medical care, sometimes for days or even weeks. Unfortunately, waiting to see a doctor can significantly complicate a car accident claim and make it harder to recover fair compensation, even when injuries are real and serious. An Orlando personal injury attorney understands how to navigate these challenges, protect your interests, and pursue the compensation you deserve.
Common Reasons People Delay Medical Care
There are several understandable reasons why accident victims wait to seek treatment. Some believe pain and stiffness will resolve on their own. Others are in shock and do not immediately feel symptoms due to adrenaline. Concerns about medical costs, lack of health insurance, busy schedules, or fear of missing work also play a role. In minor collisions, people may assume that low-speed impact could not have caused meaningful harm. While these reasons are common, insurance companies often use delays in treatment to question the legitimacy of a claim.
From a medical standpoint, delayed treatment can allow injuries to worsen. Soft tissue injuries, herniated discs, internal injuries, and concussions frequently present delayed symptoms. Without early documentation, these conditions may progress and require more extensive treatment than they would have if addressed promptly.
From a legal perspective, timing matters too. Florida’s no-fault insurance system requires injured drivers to seek medical treatment within 14 days of a crash to qualify for Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits. Missing this window can jeopardize access to coverage for medical bills and lost wages. Even beyond PIP, insurers often argue that delayed treatment means the injury was not caused by the accident or was not serious.
Insurance adjusters closely examine medical records and timelines. Gaps in treatment allow them to argue that an injury was pre-existing, unrelated, or exaggerated. They may claim that if you were truly hurt, you would have sought care immediately. These arguments can reduce settlement offers or lead to outright claim denials.
This is especially problematic for injuries that rely on medical imaging or physician assessments to establish severity and causation.
How to Move Forward After a Delay
If you or a loved one waits to see a doctor, all is not lost. The most important step is to seek medical attention as soon as symptoms appear. Be honest with your healthcare provider about when the accident occurred and when symptoms began. Consistent follow-up care helps establish a clear medical record moving forward.
An experienced Orlando personal injury attorney can also help address gaps in treatment. Legal counsel can gather supporting evidence, such as accident reports and expert opinions, to link the injury to the crash and counter insurance company arguments.
Do you have questions about what to do after seeing a doctor late? Delayed medical care adds complexity to a car accident claim but it does not eliminate your rights. Taking action (medically and legally) can make a meaningful difference in the outcome of your case. With guidance from the attorneys at Israoui Law, a resolution is in reach. For the personal attention you deserve, call 407-381-4529. Always speak to an experienced accident attorney before speaking to any insurance company.
