What Happens If You Deny Medical Aid At The Scene, But Need It Later?

Hospital bills can be expensive! Without insurance, an average hospital visit can cost around $2,200. It’s not surprising that most people who get into accidents refuse medical treatment on-site. They worry so much about the costs that they underestimate the extent of the damage to themselves. 

Should You Decline Medical Aid?

Any good Delaware County personal injury lawyer will tell you that you should NEVER decline medical aid. If you get in an accident, you should let medical professionals assess your condition and give you proper treatment.

Of course, a common question asked is — can you even decline medical aid? As a rule, yes. If a person is conscious and capable of making medical decisions, then they are within their rights to refuse any type of medical treatment. Medical professionals cannot overrule this decision if you’re fully conscious and can freely make that decision.

What Happens After Initial Refusal?

After refusing medical treatment following an accident, patients typically opt to go home to recuperate. The problem happens when a few hours pass and you find yourself experiencing serious complications. It can be intense pain, dizziness, nausea, loss of consciousness, or some other severe symptom. If any of these occur, you might suddenly decide that you need medical attention after all.

Will your initial refusal prevent you from getting subsequent medical attention? Of course not! You can still get adequate treatment and, in the event of an accident, all medical procedures will be shouldered by the person responsible. If you get involved in a car crash where the other person is at fault, any medical attention you get will be at their expense. 

The Issue Of Initial Refusal

As a rule, the person who pays the damages is the person at fault. Even with an initial refusal, you can still get the other party to shoulder the cost. So, why do lawyers recommend that you do NOT refuse medical aid on-site?

The reason for this is more than just getting appropriate treatment immediately. You should be aware that the time gap between the accident and the administration of treatment matters when claiming damages. Past court decisions say that in order for injuries to be compensable, they have to be the result of the accident.

Let’s say you injured your hand in an accident and chose to refuse medical aid. After a few days, the pain continues, so you visit the hospital and find out that there’s a pinched nerve that needs therapy. In this scenario, the party at fault can say that if you accepted medical aid immediately, the problem would have been solved early and it would not develop into a more severe problem. The refusal to get immediate treatment makes it appear as though it’s your fault that the injury got worse over time. This doesn’t completely absolve the other party, but it can reduce the cost of damages to be paid.

Contact Us Today!

Having a good lawyer on your side after an accident is the first step in making sure you are fully compensated by the party at fault. As the premiere bus accident lawyer in Delaware County, PA, we have the experience and background necessary to guarantee complete coverage for any physical injury you sustain. We can help you with any type of accident that you have experienced. Contact us today for a free consultation!