How long is too long to wait to visit the doctor after an auto accident?
Tuesday, March 9th, 2010 at
2:42 am
I was involved in an auto accident and it’s been five days since it happened. I’m starting to have a pain in my left shoulder (I was driving and it is bruised from the seat belt). The accident was not my fault, but I’m worried that the "acceptable" time frame has passed for visiting the doctor. Is it too late to claim it as an injury if I go to the doctor now?
Tagged with: auto accident • google • left shoulder • script type • seat belt • text javascript • time frame
Filed under: New York Herniated Disc Lawyer
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There is no set "time frame" to go and see a doctor. Its all up to you. If your pain hasn’t let up and you feel you need to go to the doctor, by all means, go ahead and go.
I handle personal injury claims and 5 days doesn’t seem to be an excessive amount of time. Its when people wait weeks and months before seeking any treatment that sets a red flag in their claim.
I would say no if the pain just started. Explain the situation to the doctor and call your auto insurance company.
I dont think so….is the accident reported to the police. Go get it checked out!!! It is NEVER too late.
You should visit right away!! Not only for your own health safety but if you have to file the police report your medical records can not be used in the case or in the report since anything couldve happened to your arm after the accident.
but for your own health sake you should see one today if possible.
No, unless you signed a release that stated you DID NOT SUSTAIN INJURIES IN THE ACCIDENT. And even then, you can file a claim if the doctor will document the cause of your injury.
No, soft tissue injuries can take time to come out. You should not delay however and go to the doctor asap.
BY TYPING THIS QUESTION IS TO LONG BECAUSE IT IS ALWAYS BEST TO GO RIGHT AWAY AND SEE THE DOCTOR SO THAT THIS CAN BE DOCUMENTED FOR YOUR PROTECTION.
Actually I believe you have quite some time to claim an injury. Go to the doctor and inform him of the situation. He/she will be able to distinguish if the pain is the result of the accident or something else. Get to the doctor asap. Do not wait any longer. The insurance company may question the delay, but if you have the documentation in your medical files to cover the delay, you should be fine. Be sure to have the doctor take pictures of the bruising/injury. This too will help document the injury and the time frame.
It is quite normal for injuries to take some time to manifest themselves after an accident. Go to the doctor and get checked over to see what is going on. It is definitely not too late. Good luck.
No, it’s not. There’s no cut and dried time limit. Most injuries hurt the worst on day 2 & 3.
Obviously, if you wait six months, there’s going to be a problem. The longer you wait, the harder it is going to be for you to collect on a claim. But a week isn’t usually a big deal.
It is not too late to submit a medical claim unless you signed something with the insurance company releasing liability for an injury. I was in a MVA in December of last year and didn’t have pain until 3-4 weeks later. At that time is when I sought medical treatment.