If you are injured in an accident, medical visits may be necessary. A doctor will keep track of your records as well as the progress you are making throughout each visit. Consistency with going to these visits will be a great benefit to you. After an accident, if you decide to file a personal injury claim, a gap in treatment could lessen your compensation greatly.
What is a Gap in Treatment?
It is found that insurance companies will deny personal injury claims when the records show a gap in treatment, or delayed medical treatment. Companies will argue, “if you were hurt so bad, you would not have waited this number of days before seeking medical attention.” In other instances, they will argue that you missed a large number of treatment visits, which means the accident did not require a lot of medical attention and you were able to get back into your regular life quickly after the accident occurred.
The reasoning behind the insurance company reducing your settlement amount for gaps in treatment comes from the idea that if you do not get immediate and continuous treatment then your injuries may not be as severe as you claim.
Why You May Have a Gap
There are various instances that may cause you to have a legitimate gap in treatment. Examples of this include;
- Sickness or illness
- Required surgery
- Vacation or out of town
- And other related instances
While these are unavoidable, it is important to speak with your attorney and make sure these events are documented to show there is no purposeful gap in the treatment you are receiving.
How to Avoid A Gap in Treatment
After being in an accident, it is important to receive immediate medical attention as necessary. Once you are given a diagnosis, you should follow up with your doctor and begin to set up checkups to monitor your progress. It is in your best interest to follow the doctor’s suggestions and follow the treatment plan they provide for you.
Contact Us
Following an accident, it is important to reach out to a personal injury attorney to help guide you through this process. At Schehr Law PLLC, we have years of experience in dealing with insurance companies. We understand what it takes to make you whole after an accident. The sooner you are able to contact us, the easier it will be for us to build a strong case. Don’t let the insurance companies take advantage of you. We offer free consultations for all personal injury cases. Please do not hesitate to reach out.