As the old adage goes, you can’t recover something that you never had to begin with. As noted above, many people fail to get the necessary treatment because they do not fully realize the extent of their injuries immediately following the point of impact. In determining whether an individual is entitled to past and future medical costs, an insurance adjuster (and potentially a court) will look at:

• The causal relationship between the injury and the accident
• The condition of the injured party as a result of the accident
• Any medical bills which the injured party may have incurred as a result of the accident
• Any pre-existing medical condition which the party may have had prior to the accident

A pre-existing condition will not preclude an individual from receiving compensation for such conditions which were aggravated by the accident. However, it may require a skilled attorney to gather the information necessary for the insurance company or court to make a causal determination. A skilled attorney can advise you as to what further steps may be needed to ensure all potential medical costs have been addressed.

While emergency medical services may certainly help to determine the extent of any injuries, their absence does not preclude a personal injury/automobile accident claim. However, if there is any doubt as to the extent of one’s injuries, one should seek medical attention immediately and this information may be helpful to your attorney in evaluating your claim.

If there is any doubt as to whether you may have sustained an injury, you should seek the services of a skilled medical professional immediately. A skilled attorney may then be able to assist you in recovering your medical costs. It is important to keep track of all records and dates of appointment.