Three Reasons That You Might Refuse Medical Care At The Scene Of A Car Accident
When you're in a car accident, it's common for someone at the scene to call 911 to ensure that an ambulance makes its way to the scene. As you deal with the ramifications of the accident, a paramedic will almost always ask you if you need medical care. It might be easy to refuse medical care, but doing so isn't in your best interest. Should you eventually hire a car accident attorney to pursue legal action against the motorist who caused the collision, your refusal to accept medical care may harm your case by suggesting that you weren't as hurt as you're now claiming. Here are some reasons that you might be tempted to refuse medical care.
You Feel All Right
It's possible that you'll feel all right immediately after your car accident, but your body might be in a state of shock to the extent that you aren't aware of your injuries. Neck and back injuries are common in car accidents, but they don't always show symptoms right away. It might feel as though you don't need any medical care, but you're better off receiving it so that the record states you received medical attention from the first responders.
You Don't Have Insurance
If you don't have health insurance, you might understandably be concerned about receiving medical care in the wake of your car accident. This is especially true if you don't feel that medical care is especially warranted in your situation. However, the money that you save by declining medical care now may actually cost you money in the long run. A car accident legal case can yield a significant amount of money for your care, but the other driver's attorney will be quick to point out that you didn't get medical care at the scene — and question whether you're as hurt as you're letting on.
You Have Other Obligations
A car accident is inconvenient in a number of ways, and you might feel as though you need to deal with other obligations that are more important that taking time to receive medical care. For example, if you were on your way to pick up your children from school, you might want to quickly arrange alternative transportation so that they don't have to wait longer than necessary. If you're rushing to work for a busy day, you might feel better about declining medical care and continuing your commute. Medical care at the scene might seem like an inconvenience, but you need to feel confident that receiving it can help your case.
