If you have been injured in a car accident, seeking immediate treatment seems like the most reasonable step moving forward from your collision. However, not everyone immediately pursues treatment, and some may stop their treatment while they are still experiencing pain from their accident-related injuries. Insurance companies often label these as “gaps in treatment,” and they can undermine your claim for damages.
Planning your life around your medical treatment after you have been in a collision is tedious. You may be forced to take time off work to heal from your injuries, or be forced to go to treatment during your lunch break. You may even have a previously planned vacation that you do not want to cancel.
Having previous obligations following your collision can create gaps in treatment. It can prove difficult to take time off work for those who are not afforded vacation or sick time. While many others may experience longer work hours to make up for time taken off to pursue treatment, due to having previously exhausted all their sick and vacation time.
Finding transportation to receive medical care can also become a factor if your vehicle was lost in the collision. If you live in a city with little to no transportation, and do not have the economic resources to pay for transportation up front while you are waiting for your vehicle repairs, obtaining treatment may seem impractical.
Doctors can also create gaps in treatment by releasing their patients from care after declaring that they have reached “maximum medical improvement.” Reaching maximum medical improvement is often seen as confirmation that a patient has finished treatment. On the contrary, maximum medical improvement means that the patient has peaked in that specific area of treatment, and, if they are still experiencing symptoms, should explore other avenues of treatment.
Despite insurance companies attempts at employing treatment gaps as evidence that a claimant has been restored to their pre-collision status, their attempts do not always meet the desired resolution. Gaps in treatment can occur for multiple reasons, such as a previously scheduled vacation or a person’s lack of health insurance. Access to health insurance, or affordable health care can play a large part in a person’s pursuit of medical care. Obtaining affordable health care can be difficult, and exploring cheap avenues may sometimes require resources that a person may not have access to. It is important to consult a San Diego personal injury lawyer if you do not have a comprehensive health care plan. Often, an attorney can aide you in your road to recovery and gather evidence to explain your gaps in care and revitalize your case.
If you want to obtain treatment for injuries caused by another’s negligence but are unsure of how to begin treatment due to personal circumstances, a personal injury lawyer San Marcos will help you receive treatment and address any questions you may have. Please call (858) 252-0781 to set up a free consultation.
Disclaimer: While we always seek to establish accuracy when publishing articles, this piece is not intended to provide legal advice, and should not be used as such. Each individual case will differ and should be discussed with an attorney or legal expert. If you would like to inquire about pursuing a claim, please contact us at (858) 252-0781 or email brett@acclaimlaw.com
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