You must not deny a medical examination by the emergency first responders who arrive at the scene of your accident. Not only may this affect your personal health, but it may affect the personal injury claim you wish to pursue later on. Follow along to find out how denying immediate medical attention might hinder your burden of proof and how a proficient Howard County personal injury attorney at Lloyd J. Eisenberg & Associates can help you retrieve this evidence.
As the plaintiff of a personal injury claim, what is my burden of proof?
When you decide to take legal action against a negligent party, you take on something known as the burden of proof. This is a responsibility in which you, as the plaintiff, must tie your injuries and damages directly to the carelessness of the defendant. And the best way to paint this picture is by collecting and presenting a sufficient amount of evidence in your claim proceedings. This evidence may range from surveillance camera footage, witness testimonies, and most importantly, medical documentation.
How might denying immediate medical attention hinder my burden of proof?
The medical attention that you receive immediately after your personal injury accident is vital for satisfying your burden of proof. This is because a failure to do so may allow the defendant to make any of the following arguments in your claim proceedings:
- Since you were negligent in receiving immediate medical attention, you may have incurred these injuries before or after the accident, but not as a direct result.
- Since you were negligent in receiving immediate medical attention, you may be exaggerating the severity of your injuries.
- Since you were negligent in receiving immediate medical attention, you may be exaggerating the amount of financial compensation you require to heal from your injuries.
How do I collect evidence of my immediate medical attention?
Importantly, you must allow paramedics and EMTs to attend to you at the scene of your accident. Then, you must allow them to transport you to the emergency room for additional medical examinations and treatments. Below are examples of how you may collect evidence along the way:
- Capture photos of your injuries while you are still at the scene of your accident.
- Request copies of your medical bills that disclose the initial cost of treatment for your incurred injuries.
- Request copies of your medical documents that disclose the date and time in which you incurred your injuries.
- Ask for a doctor’s note that discloses your prescribed medications and treatment plans for your incurred injuries.
You must take your personal injury claim seriously. So pick up the phone and contact a talented Howard County personal injury attorney today. Someone from Lloyd J. Eisenberg & Associates will be happy to answer.
