“Avoiding the doctor isn’t just bad for your health, it can hurt your personal injury claim as well,” says Dallas car wreck lawyer, Attorney Zach Herbert. Some people avoid treatment because they don’t want to admit that they are injured. Others avoid the doctor because they cannot afford it.  In one study reported in The Journal of General Internal Medicine, a variety of reasons were reported for individuals to not seek treatment. One category avoided the doctor due to poor perceptions related to doctors, healthcare personnel, or systems. Another category avoided the doctor primarily because they were hoping that their condition would improve without having to go. The last category avoided the doctor because of costs barriers, no health insurance, or time associated with treatment.¹

Regardless of what you tell yourself, avoiding the doctor and avoiding treatment is not going to make the pain, injury, or illness go away.  Only by getting treatment can one begin to heal. Once on the path to recovery and treatment, you also need to follow through. This gives you the greatest chance of success at healing.

A major barrier to treatment to those injured in an auto accident in Texas is that they are victimized multiple times on their way to recovery.  Not only are they dealing with the initial accident, but later they are dealing with the compounding physical and financial effects of the aftermath of the injury.  This can include (among other things) costs associated with the loss of a vehicle or physical property, costs associated with the loss of work, physical pain, and medical bills.  Even if you have medical insurance, there are significant costs associated with seeking treatment that tempts many to not follow through on their treatment. This is a bad idea.

Not getting treated may make the injury worse and is not the path to healing and recovery.  By avoiding treatment you are sending a message that your injuries are not that serious. If your injuries are not serious enough for you to get treated, then a jury is not likely to see them as serious either.  It is a lot more difficult to get compensated for future medical treatment expenses when you’ve already demonstrated that you are willing to put off or avoid treatment (regardless of the reason). If you are injured in a car accident in Dallas, you should seek treatment and continue in accordance with your doctors’ orders.

What if you are having real difficulty getting treatment?  Maybe you don’t have insurance. Maybe you can’t afford the time off from work.  The good news is that you do not have to go through the healing and recovery process alone. The Herbert & Eberstein is here to assist you in the recovery process. We are a team of personal injury lawyers in Dallas who have been through this process many times with and for our clients. We will work hard to get you the medical treatment and financial recovery that you need to get you back on your feet.

Media Contact:

Personal Injury Attorney Zach Herbert

(T): 214-414-3808

zachherbert.attorney