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Car accidents, dog bites, defective products, slips, falls, and similar accidents can leave you injured or worse. Being the victim of the at-fault party’s negligence means you may be entitled to financial compensation for medical expenses and other debts. However, you should know that medical tests can potentially affect your personal injury claim. Before you go thinking you shouldn’t seek medical attention following an injury, think again.
Ignoring medical attention could put your life at risk. A medical professional like your doctor can actually prove you will face lifelong compensation and could indirectly help increase your settlement amount. Read on to learn more about the ways medical tests can impact your personal injury claim.
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Following a car crash, you may be asked to undergo several medical tests for your safety and your claim. Here are some examples of medical tests you may be asked to go through.
You may have seen, heard of, or previously undergone an X-ray test in your past. But in case you have not, an X-ray imaging machine can produce images of your bones, organs, and internal tissue structures. This is how a medical professional can check if you have broken bones, organ damage, or internal tissue problems.
Similar to an X-ray, a CT scan generates a detailed composite image of a particular internal structure. The CT scan will use X-ray beams all around your body to capture several images from various angles.
MRI machines use magnets and radio waves to generate detailed computerized images of organs and internal tissues. These images only represent a layer of the inside of your body. It can be used to generate a 3D composite.
First and foremost, the results of these tests are important to your safety and health. The results can also help your claim by establishing documentation of your condition in a permanent medical record. These tests can also show internal injuries that may not appear easily, such as muscular or nervous system issues.
You can also prove to insurance adjusters or other interested parties that you’re taking your health and recovery seriously. This also gives you a chance to differentiate pre-existing injuries or conditions from new ones caused by the accident.
The exact amount of your injury claim payout will depend on several factors like
Medical expenses
Property damages
Lost wages
Economic loses
Then you may also need to factor in things that are harder to measure, like emotional distress, pain, suffering, and missing important life events or school. These are usually determined by the insurance company and your lawyer—but they usually start with your medical expenses.
A good way to think about it is this: the higher your medical bills, the more you can expect to receive for your claim.
Similar to how medical costs can increase your settlement amount, the type of care you receive can have the same kind of impact. Serious injuries typically require intensive care and multiple forms of it at that. Those who receive intense medical care for their injuries can expect a higher payout for their claim.
Some examples of medical care or treatment that could impact your settlement include surgery, getting on-site care from a paramedic, or going to the emergency room or urgent care.
While an attorney can’t perform medical tests or help you heal from your injuries, they can help you recover fair compensation for them. An experienced attorney will help guide you through the personal injury claim process so that you don’t miss out on any additional compensation. The insurance company paying out your claim will look for ways to limit or lowball your settlement. But with a New Mexico personal injury attorney on your side, you’ll have a better chance at getting what you deserve.
If you’re unsure of how medical claims will impact your injury claim, please reach out to Shapiro Law Team. We’re your trusted personal injury attorney in New Mexico. Our team has helped countless victims recover millions in compensation—and we’re ready to fight for you.
