Not everyone realizes that they are injured in the immediate aftermath of an accident. Whether you get hurt at work or in a car accident, the adrenaline pumping through your system can end up covering up some of the pain and making it harder to notice an injury. This is why you still have legal options even if you don’t report an injury right away. A Bexar County, Texas personal injury lawyer from our firm can tell you more about how you can claim compensation.
What Happens If I Report My Injury Later?
When you report an injury right away after an accident, it can be harder for an insurer to deny that you got hurt in said accident. When you wait to make a claim, the insurer can try to find alternate explanations for your injuries. If you wait a week after a car crash to tell them that you have an injury, they may try to say that you didn’t get hurt in the crash itself. You got hurt in that intervening week and now you’re just trying to go after their policy.
Can I Still Sue If I Wait to Report?
That situation probably doesn’t seem ideal, but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t sue for damages if you wait to report an injury. First of all, an insurance company is going to find any excuse not to pay out, regardless of what you did in the aftermath of an accident. Secondly, many people do not notice their injuries at first. As we mentioned, these kinds of situations can be stressful and you may not notice something is wrong right away.
Making sure that you get to a doctor right away can be helpful though. Even if you don’t feel injured, get checked out. Your doctor may be able to find out what’s wrong before you would have noticed on your own. Now you have medical records that can back up your version of events and help you build a case.
Should I Hire a Lawyer?
It’s always a good idea to hire a lawyer when pursuing a personal injury case. One can be especially helpful if you report an injury late though. They can defend you from any accusations from the insurance company and help you strengthen your case. A lawyer can also handle most of the work on your behalf, allowing you more time to rest and recover from your injuries.
What Kinds of Damages Can I Win?
Once you report your injury and move forward with your case, you can claim different types of damages that all help make up for what you have experienced. Your settlement can help make up for things like:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning potential
- Loss of enjoyment
- Mental and psychological trauma
- Pain and suffering
Schedule Your Free Consultation
So don’t delay your case any longer. If you were hurt in any kind of accident and want to claim the compensation you are owed, contact Sahadi Legal Group. We can schedule a case consultation and tell you more about what we can do to assist you.
