MAXIMIZE YOUR AUTO INJURY CLAIM: Part 2
The backbone of injury claims is the medical records. That is what injury lawyers and the insurance companies use as the main factor in determining a value for the case. There is nothing more important than having injuries well-documented in the medical records. The injury victim should obtain medical care as soon as possible after the injury occurs. There should be follow up care within a few days thereafter and continuing regularly until the injuries are fully resolved.
Medical treatment starts at the scene of the wreck. The police officer will ask if you are injured. There is a section of the Texas crash report where the investigating officer will note whether you were injured. If there is an injury, the officer will call an ambulance (if the ambulance was not already dispatched via a 9-1-1 call). If the Emergency Medical Technicians treat you at the scene, there will usually be a report created whether you are transported in an ambulance or not.
Many car wreck injury victims are seen at an emergency room within 48 hours of the wreck. Again, there will be medical records created to document the injuries. The medical records continue if the patient is admitted to the hospital. When a patient is discharged from the emergency department or the hospital, the discharge papers usually contain instructions to follow up with the patient's regular doctor or another doctor recommended by the hospital.
It is very important to follow up as recommended. Unfortunately, many injury victims do not have health insurance and they fail to follow up with their medical care because they cannot afford it. There is no excuse for failing to obtain medical treatment in this situation. If the patient does not have health insurance and the patient does not qualify for medicaid, medicare or indigent benefits, then an injury lawyer can help the patient get the necessary care without having to pay out of pocket.
Delays and gaps in treatment are one of the leading causes of problems in resolving injury claims. Failure to properly follow up on medical care greatly decreases the vlaue of the claim. The insurance company will not simply accept as true the injured person's statement that he or she is still injured. The insurance company will assume the injuries either completely recolved or that the injuries are very minor. Therefore, timely and proper medical care is essential to maximize the injury claim.
