When Is it Too Late to Go to the Doctor After a Car Accident?

Being involved in a car accident, even a seemingly minor one, can be a traumatic and disorienting experience. In the immediate aftermath, shock and adrenaline can mask serious injuries. This leads many accident victims to delay or avoid seeking medical attention, often assuming they “feel fine” so they must not be hurt. 

If you’re thinking about filing an insurance claim or a lawsuit, you may be wondering when it is too late to go to the doctor after a car accident. Most insurance companies tell you to see a doctor as soon as possible, and you may have up to a week to do so before they start giving you trouble. 

If you are taking legal action, you will need to begin your case and your medical treatment before the statute of limitations expires. 

The Atlanta car accident lawyers at John Foy & Associates always caution that it’s never too late to get checked out by a doctor after a crash. In fact, we strongly advise all accident victims to undergo a prompt medical evaluation as soon as possible, even when no symptoms are immediately present.

It’s Dangerous to Delay Going to a Doctor After a Car Accident

Some severe trauma injuries have delayed or late-onset symptoms that may not manifest for hours, days, or even weeks after the initial injury, including:

• Brain injuries: Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and concussions frequently cause delayed symptoms like headaches, dizziness, cognitive issues, and nausea.
• Whiplash/soft tissue damage: Whiplash injuries from the violent back-and-forth motion can cause delayed neck stiffness, shoulder pain, numbness, and tingling from soft tissue strains.
• Internal injuries: Bleeding, organ damage, and other internal trauma injuries may not present symptoms right away.
• Emotion/psychological trauma: Post-traumatic stress, anxiety, depression, and other accident-related psychological issues can develop over time.

Without a proper medical diagnosis and treatment plan, these “invisible injuries” can worsen and lead to permanent damage or chronic conditions. Seeking immediate care creates medical documentation linking symptoms to the accident, which is critical evidence for any injury claim. 

An Atlanta personal injury lawyer can consult with your physicians to understand the extent of your injuries. This can help determine both current and future medical expenses. For example, your doctor’s prognosis will shed light on how long it may take for you to reach your maximum medical recovery and what treatments you will need to get there. 

How Long You Have to Go to a Doctor After a Car Accident if You Are Filing an Insurance Claim

While there is no absolute deadline for seeing a doctor after a car accident injury, most insurance companies allow approximately one week to seek initial medical treatment and still have your claim covered. Any delays beyond that window require additional justification.

However, you should never use potential insurance restrictions as an excuse to postpone care. Your health and well-being must be the top priority after any accident.

If considerable time has already passed, it’s still advisable to undergo an evaluation from a qualified physician as soon as possible. They can assess if any accident-related symptoms exist and begin treatment accordingly.

From both a medical and legal standpoint, it’s never too late to get checked out, but it’s always best to act quickly. An Atlanta car accident attorney can then work to protect your rights and build a claim for recovering compensation from any injuries discovered, even with a delayed diagnosis.

How Long You Have to Go to a Doctor After a Car Accident if You Are Filing a Lawsuit

If you plan on taking legal action against a negligent driver, you have a deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit. O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33 generally gives you two years to file your suit. Missing this statute of limitations can result in the court dismissing your case entirely. 

It’s important to start medical treatment well before this deadline, though. Some cases begin with an insurance claim, which will require you to go to a doctor. If you discover your injuries exceed a policy’s coverage limit or an insurer refuses to offer a fair settlement, you will want to secure your right to seek compensation through civil litigation. 

An auto accident attorney in Atlanta can help you meet your legal deadline, but it all starts with you reaching out. Since we do not charge upfront fees, we can begin working on your case immediately. 

It’s Not Too Late to Go to a Doctor After a Car Accident. Consult a Lawyer Now.

You deserve access to the medical care you need to make a full recovery after a car accident. If you’re worried it’s too late to go to the doctor, play it safe and go now. Then, call John Foy & Associates to begin seeking financial recovery.

We can investigate your accident and work with your doctors to establish another party’s negligence. Then, we can assess your accident-related losses to ensure you seek every penny you deserve. 

Contact us today for a FREE consultation to go over your situation and learn more about your options. We advocate for auto accident victims and their families by taking these cases on a contingency-fee basis. You only pay us if we secure compensation for you.